Student Nicha
1. Pendulum Motion Experiment
2. HYPOTHESIS
If the mass is increased, then the frequency of the pendulum will also increase because with more
mass there will have more time for oscillation completed per time.
3. VARIABLES
Independent variable: Different masses
Dependent variable: Frequency, Period, Oscillations
Control variable: Amplitude and length of the string
4. INTRODUCTION
In 1602, the crucial properties of a pendulum were discovered by an Italian scientist Galileo Galilei,
as he compared the movement of a swinging lamp with his pulse rate. He discovered the relationship
of the amplitude affecting the frequency of the pendulum (Britannica, 2020). To further investigate
the relationship of different variables affecting the pendulum, this lab investigates difference mass
impacting the frequency of the pendulum. If the mass is increased then, I predict that the frequency of
the pendulum will also increase because with more mass there will have more time for oscillation
completed per time.
Crucial terms that were used in this investigation are Period, Frequency and Amplitude. Period is the
time it takes for the pendulum to complete one oscillation. Next, Frequency is the number of
oscillations completed per unit time. It may be thought of as rate, speed or repetition. A frequency of
one oscillation per second is equal to 1 Hertz. While, amplitude is the maximum distance from the
rest position. There are two equations used to figure frequency and period. As period and frequency
impact on each other, the equation to find period is 𝑇 = 1/𝑓 and 𝑓 = 1/𝑇 to find frequency. Use
1 𝐿
𝑇= 𝑓
= 2π 𝑔
to calculate the Theoretical Period (OpenStax, 2020). The experiment was
performed by collecting frequency data using varying masses resulting in finding that mass does not
significantly affect the frequency.
5. MATERIALS
REAGENTS LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
N/A ● String (27 cm)
● Pendulum bob
○ 50g
○ 100g
○ 150g
○ 200g
● Ruler
● Scissor
● Timer/stopwatch
● Scale
6. PROCEDURE
1) Understand the lab report assignment and it’s requirements along with writing the introduction
2) Select independent variable to experiment
3) Prepare four string in 27 centimeter
4) Flip a stool and place it on the table
5) Tied one end of the string to the center of the stool leg and the other end around the pendulum
bob
6) Hold the pendulum bob 90 degrees from the resting position
7) Let go of the pendulum bob and measure each component (period, frequency, oscillation)
8) Calculate the theoretical period
9) Collect and organize data into tables
10) Analyze the data using the theoretical period
11) Evaluate the hypothesis and determine the improvement of the investigation
12) Cited my reference in APA citation
7. SAFETY
● Tied the string tightly to prevent any pendulum bob to fall (possibly hurt nearby people)
● The stool are strong and does not contain any broken crack
● The string a strong enough to withstand the weight of the pendulum bob
● There are no people in front or behind the pendulum to prevent any injuries from swinging
bob
8. RESULTS ( QUALITATIVE / QUANTITATIVE)
Quantitative
L: 0.27m
A: 27 cm
Mass (g) Total time for 25 Period, T (s) Frequency, f Theoretical
oscillations (s) (Hz) Period (s)
50 g 28.66 1.23 0.81 1.04
100 g 29.30 1.29 0.78 1.04
150 g 29.89 1.42 0.7 1.04
200 g 30.12 1.19 0.84 1.04
Qualitative
- Each mass are 50 gram apart
- Only 1 trial for each mass
- From the observation there is a slight differences between each masses
- 50 gram mass took the fastest total time for 25 oscillation however, 200 gram took the longest
- The theoretical period remain the same for all mass
- The frequency and period does not match up with the oscillation
10. ANALYSIS
Based on the data table we can see some minor changes between the oscillations, period and
frequency of each mass. The total time for 25 oscillations were ranked in order of the masses. The
total time slowly went up a little by each mass. 50 gram mass took the shortest time while 200 gram
took the longest time. The period and the frequency however, does not follow that order as 200 gram
have the shortest period and longest frequency. Despite the difference in period, frequency and
1 𝐿
oscillation the theoretical period remains unchanged. Using the𝑇 = 𝑓 = 2π 𝑔
formula to
calculate the theoretical period, I found out that there was no mass in this formula (OpenStax, 2020).
Thus, the mass should not be affecting the frequency and period of the pendulum. Resulting in an
experiment that has masses as an independent variable should have the same period. The formula
2
consist of g for gravity which equal to 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 , πfor 3.1415, T for period, f for frequency and L for
length. Therefore the component that affects the period and frequency of the pendulum is the changes
of the string length. Despite this, our data table didn’t support this as there could be weaknesses in the
experiment that messes up the result. In order to conduct an accurate experiment, we should improve
on our weaknesses to help us to find data that we were looking for.
11. CONCLUSION
My hypothesis was incorrect because according to the theoretical period formula, masses should not
affect the frequency of the pendulum (OpenStax, 2020). When the string length and amplitude are the
control variable, the mass will not affect the frequency. This is different from my original hypothesis:
when mass is increased then, the frequency of the pendulum will also increase. The theoretical period
formula and the data that I collected in this experiment do not support the hypothesis. From my data,
it shows that there is no pattern between the increased frequency and the mass. However, my data are
not clear evidence to show this statement as some weaknesses should be addressed to increase the
accuracy of the experiment.
12. EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT
Problem/Weakness Effect on results/data Possible solution/
improvement
The length of the string may Differences in string length can Straighten the string before
not be accurate. affect the period and frequency measuring the length to ensure
of the pendulum as it is accurate length.
included in the theoretical
period formula.
The timing of the oscillation This results in changes of the Attached sensor devices on the
may be inaccurate. total time for oscillation in pendulum bob or take video of
different trials that mess up the the pendulum and carefully
data as different masses should observe the swing.
not affect frequency.
The direction of the swing may The pendulum bob may swing Provide bigger spaces for the
not alway be horizontal. a little to the side with effect pendulum to swing and ensure
changes to the oscillation. to tie the string in a way that
the pendulum bob is straight.
The amplitude of the pendulum Affecting the period, frequency Use a protractor or a ruler to
may be inaccurate as we and oscillation as a pendulum ensure that the control
measure it 90 degrees with our may be dropped at different variables are kept the same.
eye instead of using a ruler. amplitudes.
REFERENCES
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (March 27, 2020). pendulum | Definition, Formula,
& Types. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/pendulum
OpenStax. (February 10, 2021). Physics. Lumen.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/16-4-the-simple-pendulum/.
NOTE.
Your lab report should include:
1. Results (Data, graphs)
2. Analysis (Answers to the proposed questions)
3. Conclusions (answer the hypothesis, supported by the results).
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
✓ QUIZ BASED ON THE LAB GUIDE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS.
✓ PRINTED LAB GUIDE.
✓ YOUR REPORT MUST BE WRITTEN IN THE SAME LAB GUIDE TEMPLATE,
SHOWING YOUR WORK DURING THE LAS SESSIONS.
✓ Lab report following the given criteria.
