An Investigation That Determines How Mass, Amplitude and Length Affect the Period of a Simple Pendulum.

Essay by matthewlayHigh School, 11th gradeA+, April 2006

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Synopsis:

This investigation will show how the mass, amplitude and length affect the period of a swing. The process that is needed is included and various hypotheses will be put forward. Whereby the mass will vary between 0.065 kg to 0.1535 kg, the amplitude will vary between 10 and 20 cm, and the length of string will vary between 0.1 and 2.57 m. It will also look at possible flaws and errors.

Introduction:

In order to determine how the mass, amplitude and length of string affect the period of a simple pendulum; the setup shown left was setup. The first step was to see how the mass of the bob affected the period of a swing. Holding the bob at an amplitude of 6 cm and a string length of 20cm, the time of twenty periods was timed. This was then repeated three times, each time with the mass of the bob being different and, the length of string and amplitude were kept the same.

The second step was to see how the amplitude affected the period of a swing. The second step was similar to that of the first step with the exception that the amplitude was changed and the mass of the bob and length of string were kept the same. The second step was repeated three times. The final step was to see how the length of the string affected the period of a swing. This last step was similar to that of the first and second steps with the exception that the length of string was changed and the amplitude and mass of the bob were kept the same.

The hypothesis that was put forward for the first step was that a heavier bob would create a faster swing period of that of a lighter bob...