The graph shown was obtained from experimental measurements of the period of oscillations T for different masses M placed in the scale pan on the lower end of the spring balance. The most likely reason for the line not passing through the origin is that the

Options

A. Stopclock was not regulated
B. Spring did not obey Hook's law
C. Mass of the pan was not taken into account
D. Amplitude of the oscillations was too large

Answer

C

Explanation

For the oscillating mass, `T=2pi sqrt((M)/(K))`
`therefore T^(2)=(4pi^(2)M)/(K) therefore T^(2) prop M`
`therefore` The graph of `T^(2)` against M is a straight line and if `M=0, T^(2)=0` and it should pass through the origin. But it is not pas"sin"g through the origin. This means that `M ne 0` or the mass of the pan was not taken into account.