Pendulum Laboratory Write Up
Pendulum Laboratory Write Up
A simple pendulum consists of a mass called the pendulum bob suspended from a support by a thread. A complete vibration of a pendulum consists of one swing over and one swing back. The time for a complete vibration is called the period (T) of a pendulum. This is usually measured in seconds.
When a pendulum swings through a small arc, its bob is undergoing sample harmonic motion. The force causing the bob to swing along its arc is greatest when its speed is least. The force is least when the speed of the bob is the greatest.
Objectives:
During this investigation you will:
(a) Test the effect of the certain variables on the period of a pendulum.
(b) Learn to use a graphical method as a means of determining mathematical relationships that describe physical phenomenon.
Procedure:
1. Suspend the 50-gram and the 100-gram pendulum side by side. Make each pendulum the same length (50 cm as measured from the point of support to the center of each bob).
2. Using a ruler, pull the bobs aside together to the same height (about simultaneously by quickly dropping the ruler. Observe the two bobs of different mass as they swing through their arcs. Record you observations in the Data and Calculations section.
3. Start the bobs swinging simultaneously again, but this time release each from a different height. Observe the bobs to see if they both arrive at the bottom of their swings together. Do they each swing through their different arcs in the same or different times? Observe over several swings. Record you observations in the Data and Calculations section.
4. Remove one of the pendulum. Vary the length of the remaining pendulum by grasping the thread at different distances from the bob and allowing the bob to swing through several vibrations. Record your observations in the Data and Calculations section.
5. To be more quantitative, use your stopwatch to measure the time required for pendulum of different lengths to swing through 40 complete vibrations. Begin with the 50-cm pendulum. Record this time in Table 13-1.
6. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for each of the pendulum lengths listed in the table. Enter your data in 13-1.
Observations:
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