Question
Why is the sphere taken to be spherical to make a simple pendulum?

Answer

These are two reasons for this :
(i) The center of the gravity of spherical objects is located at their centre. Therefore, the position of the center of gravity can be determined accurately. Hence the value of effective length of the pendulum is also known accurately.
(ii) For a given value, the surface area of a spherical object is minimum, hence the force of air friction on it also minimum due to which the oscillations continue for a longer time.

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