LAB - Pendulum
PROBLEM (Choose a question):
Option 1: How does string length affect the number of pendulum swings per minute?
Option 2: How does the bob weight affect the number of pendulum swings per minute?
BACKGROUND RESEARCH: What do you know about kinetic and potential energy?
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HYPOTHESIS:
If the ___________________ is increased, the speed of the pendulum will _________
______________________. This will happen because _________________________
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MATERIALS: Pencil, string, weight, tape, ruler, timer
PROCEDURE:
1. Tie 1 end of string to pencil and the other end to a weighted object (a
super ball, a heavy nut or bolt, anything round)
2. Tape the pencil to the edge of the table similar to what the picture
shows. YOU HAVE CREATED A PENDULUM!
3. Pull the string up until it is parallel with the floor. IT IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT YOU RELEASE THE PENDULUM FROM THE
SAME HEIGHT EVERY TRIAL!!
4. Release the string and start the timer. For one full minute count every
time it returns to its starting point. One full swing is when it returns to
the side it was released from.
5. Repeat for trials 2 and 3. Record data in data table.
6. Change EITHER the length of the string OR the weight at the end of the string and repeat steps 3
to 5. Make sure you run 3 trials each time you change the string length or bob weight.
List All Variables: _______________________________________________________
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*Manipulated Variable (Independent): _________________________________________
**Responding Variable (Dependent): _________________________________________________
Controlled Variables __________________________________________________________________
DATA:
Data Table 1: Pendulum length or bob weight vs. swings per 30
seconds.
Length OR Weight
Number of swings per 30 seconds
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
1
2
3
4
5
6
Analyzing Data:
Pendulum Length vs Average Swings per 30 seconds
CONCLUSION:
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