Method
I will set up my apparatus as follows;
- I will connected the boss onto the stand
- I will attached the clamp onto the boss
- I will place the string into the split cork (this reduces friction)
- I will then tie a loop into my string for the masses to hang from
- I will place the masses into the loop
- I will finally attach a second piece of string to apparatus in order to keep release angle constant
During my experiment I will time five swings five times at four different lengths, each time making the string shorter. This will give me 20 sets of results therefore giving me a good range of results in order to take my theoretical time² and average time².
Once I have performed the experiment I will record my results in a table. This will be set up as follows;
To work out my average time² I will add all of my results together divide by 5 (as this is the number of tests I did for each length) and then I will square each of the results.
E.g.;
9.15 + 9.22 + 9.12 + 9.22 + 9.23 – 5 =
Also, in order to work out my theoretical time² I will use a formula. I found this formula in a school textbook.
T = Time (meters per second (m/s))
L = Length of pendulum in meters
G = Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
Results Table
Evaluation
Considering the limited equipment I had in order to perform this investigation, I believe that the method I chose to use was successful. I am able to qualify this by pointing out that my average time and theoretical time were very close together. I also noted that there were no anomalies within my results.
The fact that both sets of results were close in comparison to each other proves that the results are reliable ones.
I believe that there is little I could do to improve on my current results, but I think that if I was to perform my investigation again I would;
- Change the mass whilst keeping the angle of the swing and length of the string the same.
- Change the angle of the swing whilst keeping the length of the string and the mass the same.
I would do this in order to compare which factor effects the pendulum ‘swing rate’ the most.
