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Pendulum Lab

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eroigher
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3 views

Pendulum Lab

Uploaded by

eroigher
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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24/05/2024

Pendulum Lab
Question
If we take a pendulum and run 3 labs where we manipulate the amplitude, length, and
mass individually, out of the three, which one(s) will have an effect on the period of the
pendulum swing?

Hypothesis
If all other variables remain constant, the length and the amplitude will have an
effect on the period of the pendulum as increasing the length of the swing will increase
the time it takes to pass back and forth through the photogate and increasing the
amplitude will have a similar effect on the period as more energy is introduced into the
system which will make the pendulum swing further.
Variables

Controlled- Mass + Length (Trial 1), Amplitude + Length (Trial 2), Amplitude + Mass
(Trial 3), Photogate, Data Points Used (First + Fifth)

Manipulated- Amplitude (Trial 1), Mass (Trial 2), Length (Trial 3)

Responding- Period

Experimental Design
A pendulum bob is hung from a ring stand anchored at two points to restrict lateral
movement. A photogate is mounted on a second stand below so the mass blocks it while hanging
stationary. The mass is 200g and the length of the hanging mass is one metre. Data is recorded
using a digital interface to measure when the photogate is blocked.
Part 1: Amplitude
5 trials are done by releasing the hanging mass from further back each time. The period is
calculated using the first data point and the fifth combined and divided by 2. Data is recorded in
a table.
Part 2: Mass
3 trials are done by increasing the mass of the pendulum. The amplitude and length
remain constant. Period is found the same way as during the amplitude trial and recorded in a
table.
Part 3: Length
6 trials are done reducing the length of the pendulum bob each time. Mass and amplitude
remain constant. Period is calculated and put into a table.

Observations - Quantitative
Amplitude

Amplitude (cm) Average Period (s)

10 2.003

15 2.006

20 2.008

25 2.008

30 2.003

Period Calculations: (0.000+4.006)/2 =2.003 ((Data Point 1) + (Data Point 5))/2=Period

Mass
Mass (Kg) Average Period (s)

0.20 2.004

0.30 2.028

0.40 2.000

Period Calculations: (0.000+4.008)/2=2.004

Length

Length (m) Average Period (s)

1.00 2.003

0.90 1.887

0.80 1.779

0.70 1.654

0.60 1.508

0.50 1.380

Period Calculations: (0.000+4.006)/2=2.003

Observations - Qualitative

The Pendulum swung with slight lateral movement in some trials.

As the pendulum swings upward, it gradually slows down until it momentarily stops at the peak
before swinging back down.

The length of the string or rod affects the period of the pendulum; longer lengths result in a
slower, longer period.

The period got ever so slightly faster after each pass; most likely to loss of energy

Conclusion
From the data taken in the lab, it is clear that the only variable tested that has a real effect
on the period of a pendulum swing is the length of the swing. This conclusion aligns with
theoretical predictions, as the period of a simple pendulum is mathematically dependent on its
length, according to the formula discovered. Other variables, such as the mass of the pendulum
bob and the amplitude of the swing, were shown to have negligible impact on the period. This
means my hypothesis was partially correct in stating that the length and the amplitude will have
an effect on the period. I believed that because the pendulum would travel a larger arc, it would
have a slower period, however I failed to take into account the faster speed which it would have
due to the acceleration of gravity. Possible sources of error for this experiment come from slight
lateral movement of the pendulum in some trials which may have had an effect on the accuracy
of our data. Another source of error could have been inconsistent amplitudes on each trial which
would introduce more or less energy into the system, affecting the data.

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