Procedure:

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• Make a pendulum by tying a washer onto one end of a piece of string.
• Pull the weight back at an angle and release the pendulum.
• Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes the pendulum to swing 20 times. (use stop watch function on your cell phone if you do not have a stop watch or on your apple watch)
• Record the time and divide that time by 20.
• Repeat steps 1-4 two more times using washers of different weights (if washers all the same size—tie together to get different weights) and using approximately the same angle.Make sure to keep track of what weight was used.
• Change the length of the string and repeat step 5 using the same weights.
• Vary the starting angle (amplitude) of the swing to see if it affects the period.
• Record your results on the attached data sheets.

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(Washers may be found in a small packet at your local Walmart or you may have some in tool drawer or case—you may prefer different sizes for the best results.)

Data:

Trial 1 (weight change)Trial 2 (weight change)

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Length of string ____________Length of string _______________

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Number of swings: _________Number of swings: _____________

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Time Recorded: ____________Time Recorded: _______________

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Weight Used:_____________Weight Used:_________________

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Period Calculated:_________ Period Calculated:_____________

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Trial 3 (weight change)Trial 1 (length change)

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Length of string ____________ Length of string _______________

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Number of swings: _________ Number of swings: _____________

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Time Recorded: ____________Time Recorded: _______________

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Weight Used: ______________ Weight Used: _________________

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Period Calculated: __________ Period Calculated: _____________

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Trial 2 (length change) Trial 3 (length change)

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Length of string: ___________ Length of string: _______________

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Number of swings: _________Number of swings: _____________

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Time Recorded: ___________Time Recorded: ________________

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Weight Used: _____________Weight Used: __________________

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Period Calculated: __________ Period Calculated: ______________

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Trial 1 (amplitude change) Trial 2 (amplitude change)

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Length of string: ____________Length of string: _________________

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Number of swings: __________ Number of swings: _______________

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Time Recorded: _____________ Time Recorded: _________________

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Weight Used: _________________Weight Used: ___________________

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Period Calculated: _____________Period Calculated: _______________

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Lab Questions:

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• What would be the period of a pendulum located at sea level if it is 1.5 meters long?
• If the pendulum’s length were to be shortened to one-fourth its original value, what would be its new period?
• At sea level, how long would a pendulum be if it has a frequency of 2 hz?
• The timing mechanism in a grandfather’s clock is based on the principles of a simple pendulum.If your clock is gaining time, should you shorten or lengthen its pendulum?
• Would a grandfather clock keep time on the moon?