Pendulum Lab

Question:

How will changing a property of the pendulum effect the pendulum's period?

Background:

The background should include:

• Pendulum definition.
• Period definition.
• Definitions of potential and kinetic energy.
• Relationship of P.E. and K.E. to the pendulum system.
• List the factors that may influence the pendulum period.
• Student describes the factor that they have chosen to investigate. They may choose either pendulum length or mass.

Prediction/Hypothesis:

If the length/mass is increased/decreased (select one) then the pendulum period will be longer/shorter (select one), because ______.

Equipment:

Make a complete list of the equipment you will need. We will be using the ring stands, lead fishing sinkers and string. The masses of the fishing sinkers will need to be measured. Be sure to include a protractor.

Procedure:

Write a step-by-step description of how you will perform the experiment. Use a list of numbered, short, concise sentences. Someone else should be able to duplicate your experiment using these instructions. The manipulated and responding variables are identified within the steps of the procedure. Two controlled variables are also identified as the student explains how and to what value they will be set to. Be sure to describe how to do the repeated trials. How are the masses of the fishing weights determined? How is the protractor used?

Data:

The data section has three parts:

1. Data table.
2. A graph of your data with the manipulated (independent) variable on the x-axis and the responding (dependent) variable on the y-axis.
3. A labeled diagram (drawing) of the experimental setup.

Conclusion: