Phys 4AL Fall 2020

Week 3: Pendulum I

Learning Objectives:
In this lab, activity groups will understand the process of controlling variables using a simple pendulum. The
period of a pendulum is defined as the time it takes for the mass to complete a full cycle. In this lab activity,
students will determine which variables that influences a pendulum’s period (factors) and those that do not.
This lab will also reinforce the scientific method.

You will also learn how to create subsections, add captions, and format images in LaTeX.

Background:
 Timing Period of Pendulum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02w9lSii_Hs
 Cool double pendulum video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXOEoH5q3Hw
 Hyper Physics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pend.html#:~:text=A%20simple
%20pendulum%20is%20one,For%20pendulum%20length
 Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-physics-1/simple-harmonic-motion-
ap/simple-pendulums-ap/a/simple-pendulum-ap1

Introduction:
Make sure your introduction addresses ALL of the points above, and add more if you feel it is necessary. Your
introduction should be in paragraph form, NOT in bullet points. It doesn’t have to be a certain length, just make sure all
the information is there. Do not copy/paste information from the web. You do not have to cite sources.

 What are the SI units for the following?

o Mass
o Length
o Time
 How do you convert from radians to degrees?

 Definition of simple pendulum

o Period
 Definition and equation
o example
 Definition of physical pendulum
o Period
 Equation
o Example
 Define oscillation
o How would you measure one complete oscillation of a simple pendulum?
 What is the difference between an independent, dependent, and control variable?

~Add to your LaTeX document~

Section1: Introduction – your completed introduction

Phys 4AL Fall 2020

Procedure:
We will be using the following simulation:

Go to Intro

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/pendulum-lab/latest/pendulum-lab_en.html

 You will time one complete period of your simple pendulum, while changing different variables.
 You will take three different measurements, and find the average/mean period time for that
variable.
 Once you are done, put your average times in the overall table.
 Using this last table, create a plot in excel
o Make sure to include correct axis labels with units, and chart title.
 For each subsection, indicate which variable is the independent, dependent, or control variable (there
may be more than 1 each) and why.
o Angle of Release:
 Angle of Release:
 Length of String
 Mass of weight
 Period
o Length of String
 Angle of Release
 Length of String
 Mass of weight
 Period
o Mass of Weight
 Angle of Release
 Length of String
 Mass of weight
 Period
Phys 4AL Fall 2020

Part 1.1: Angle of Release

Keep the mass at 1kg, and the length of the string at 1m

Angle of Release Angle of Release

  (deg) Period (s) (deg) Period (s)

1 15   10  

2 15   10  

3 15   10  
Average for 15 Average for 10
deg:   deg:  

Angle of Release Angle of Release

  (deg) Period (s) (deg) Period (s)
 
1 7 5  
 
2 7 5  
 
3 7 5  
Average for 7 deg:   Average for 5 deg:  

Angle of Release
(deg) Period

15  

10  

7  

5  

Enter your completed plot here!

Phys 4AL Fall 2020

Part 1.2: Length of String

Keep the mass at 1kg, and the angle of release at 15deg

  String Length (m) Period (s) String Length (m) Period (s)

1 1   0.75  

2 1   0.75  

3 1   0.75  
Average for 1m:   Average for 0.75m:  

  String Length (m) Period (s) String Length (m) Period (s)
 
1 0.50 0.25  
 
2 0.50 0.25  
 
3 0.50 0.25  
Average for 0.5m:   Average for 0.25m:  

String Length (m) Average Period (s)

1  

0.75  

0.50  

0.25  

Enter your completed plot here!

Phys 4AL Fall 2020

Part 1.3: Mass of Weight

Keep the angle of release at 15deg, and the length of the string at 1m

  Mass (kg) Period (s) Mass (kg) Period (s)

1 1   0.75  

2 1   0.75  

3 1   0.75  
Average for 1kg:   Average for 0.75kg  

  Mass (kg) Period (s) Mass (kg) Period (s)

 
1 0.50 0.25  
 
2 0.50 0.25  
 
3 0.50 0.25  
Average for 0.5kg:   Average for 0.25kg:  

Mass (kg) Average Period (s)

1  

0.75  

0.50  

0.25  

Enter your completed plot here!

Phys 4AL Fall 2020

~Add to your LaTeX document~

Section 2: Data

To create subsections, enter the heading:

\subsection{Angle of Release}

Under each subsection, add your average period values into a table (as shown last week)

Three subsection: Angle of Release, Length of String, Mass of Weight

Add the image of your plot as well.

If you need to resize your plots, use the following:

\includegraphics[width=13cm, height=7cm]{Plot.png}

You can adjust the width and height of the image so that it fits nicely on the page

To add a caption (short description of the image) place the following directly underneath the image
(underneath \includegraphics{} )

\caption{Description}

To add vertical space (like skipping a line) in order tos pace out your elements, use the following:

\vspace{5mm}

You can change the 5mm to whatever size you wish.

Somewhere in this subsection, also add which variables are the independent, dependent and control and why
Phys 4AL Fall 2020

Conclusion:
Make sure your conclusion addresses ALL of the points above, and add more if you feel it is necessary. Your conclusion
should be in paragraph form, NOT in bullet points. It doesn’t have to be a certain length, just make sure all the information
is there. Do not copy/paste information from the web. You do not have to cite sources.

 From your data, which factors can you say affect the period of the simple pendulum?
o Use your data table, and plots to justify your answers.
 How does your data tie in with the equation of period for a simple pendulum?
o Use the equation to justify why your data does or does not make sense
 Why is it important to test one variable at a time? In other words, what is the importance of control
variables?

~Add to your LaTeX document~

Section3: Conclusion – your completed conclusion

Turn in!

Your completed LaTeX document

-Section 1: Introduction

-Section 2: Data

Subsection 1: Angle of Release

Indicate which values are independent, dependent, or control

Table of average values

Plot of average values vs. Period

Subsection 2: Length of String

Indicate which values are independent, dependent, or control

Table of average values

Plot of average values vs. Period

Subsection 3: Mass of Weight

Indicate which values are independent, dependent, or control

Table of average values

Plot of average values vs. Period

-Section 3: Conclusion