---
title: "A simple pendulum of length \\(L\\) and a vertical block-spring oscillator with mass \\(m\\) and spring constant \\(k\\) are both undergoing small-amplitude simple harmonic motion inside an elevator at rest near Earth’s surface. The elevator cables suddenly snap, placing the elevator into free fall with a downward acceleration of magnitude \\(g\\). Which of the following correctly pairs the subsequent oscillatory behavior of the simple pendulum with that of the block-spring oscillator, as observed from the reference frame of the elevator car?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120988/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T04:44:57+00:00"
---

# A simple pendulum of length \(L\) and a vertical block-spring oscillator with mass \(m\) and spring constant \(k\) are both undergoing small-amplitude simple harmonic motion inside an elevator at rest near Earth’s surface. The elevator cables suddenly snap, placing the elevator into free fall with a downward acceleration of magnitude \(g\). Which of the following correctly pairs the subsequent oscillatory behavior of the simple pendulum with that of the block-spring oscillator, as observed from the reference frame of the elevator car?

A simple pendulum of length \(L\) and a vertical block-spring oscillator with mass \(m\) and spring constant \(k\) are both undergoing small-amplitude simple harmonic motion inside an elevator at rest near Earth's surface. The elevator cables suddenly snap, placing the elevator into free fall with a downward acceleration of magnitude \(g\). Which of the following correctly pairs the subsequent oscillatory behavior of the simple pendulum with that of the block-spring oscillator, as observed from the reference frame of the elevator car?

![A rectangular outline representing an elevator car. Suspended from the interior ceiling of the car on the left is a simple pendulum consisting of a thin straight line of length labeled L connected to a small solid gray circular bob. Suspended from the interior ceiling on the right is a vertical zigzag line representing a spring with label k connected at its lower end to a solid square block labeled m. A downward-pointing vertical arrow labeled a = g is drawn outside to the right of the elevator car. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787460297-sMlr0K.jpg)

- **A.** Simple pendulum: Ceases to oscillate; Block-spring oscillator: Ceases to oscillate
- **B.** Simple pendulum: Ceases to oscillate; Block-spring oscillator: Continues to oscillate with unchanged period
- **C.** Simple pendulum: Continues to oscillate with unchanged period; Block-spring oscillator: Ceases to oscillate
- **D.** Simple pendulum: Continues to oscillate with unchanged period; Block-spring oscillator: Continues to oscillate with unchanged period

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120988/*