Pendulum Lab

Topics

• Pendulum
• Periodic Motion

Description

Play with one or two pendulums and discover how the period of a simple pendulum depends on the length of the string, the mass of the pendulum bob, and the amplitude of the swing. It's easy to measure the period using the photogate timer. You can vary friction and the strength of gravity. Use the pendulum to find the value of g on planet X. Notice the anharmonic behavior at large amplitude.

Sample Learning Goals

• Design experiments to describe how variables affect the motion of a pendulum
• Use a photogate timer to determine quantitatively how the period of a pendulum depends on the variables you described
• Determine the gravitational acceleration of Planet X
• Explain the Conservation of Mechanical Energy concept using kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy
• Describe Energy Chart from position or selected speeds.