Physics Pendulum... 19/24

Aim:
To determine if the length of a pendulum affects its period, (T), and compare the theoretical value of (T) to the experimental value.

Background Information:
A simple pendulum is one that can be considered to be a point mass suspended from a string or rod of negligible mass. It is a resonant system with a single resonant frequency. For small amplitudes, the period of such a pendulum can be approximated by:

        Where

      Laws of a simple Pendulum
            ▪ The period of a simple pendulum of constant length is independent of its mass, size, shape or material.
            ▪ The period of a simple pendulum is independent of the amplitude of oscillation, provided it is small.
            ▪ The period of a pendulum is directly proportional to the square root of the length of the pendulum.
            ▪ The period of a simple pendulum is inversely proportional to the square root of acceleration due to gravity.

Hypothesis:
It is hypothesised that as the length of the pendulum increases, the period (T), will also increase. Providing there is a constant angle of release (or amplitude) as the length of pendulum increases, the distance travelled by the point of measurement ( or ‘bob’) will increase. Hence the period increases.

Apparatus:

    - 3 Large nails
    - Large protractor
    - Tape measure
    - String 2m
    - 500g Mass (pendulum bob)
    - Stopwatch
    - Spirit Level and set square

Variables:

  Independent Variable – The length of the string

  Dependent Variable     – The time it takes for the pendulum to oscillate

  Controlled Variables   – The mass of the bob
                                        – The amplitude
                                        – The string, changed in length
                    – Controlled environment

Method:

    1) A table was drawn that allowed for recordings of raw data – 3 trials of 6 independent variables.

    2) The equipment was set up as shown in the diagram...