Once the bob is released, this gravitational force is able to act on it, thus moving it downward towards its original hanging point. We can say therefore, that as it is released, the Gravitational Potential Energy is converted into Kinetic Energy needed for the pendulum to swing. Once the bob returns to its original point of suspension, the Gravitational Potential Energy has been totally converted into Kinetic Energy, causing the bob to continue moving past its pivot point and up to a height equidistant from its pivot as its pivot as its starting point.
The same factors affect the pendulum o its reverse swing Gravitational Potential Energy gained after reaching its highest point in its swing, is converted into Kinetic Energy needed for it to return back to its natural point of vertical suspension. Due to this continuous motion, the bob creates an arc shaped swing. The movement of the pendulum is repeated until an external force acts on it, causing it to cease it movement. The pendulum never looses any energy, it is simply converted from one form to another and back again.
Risk assessment: -
- Make sure that there is nobody around to do the experiment
- Make sure that the weight is secured on to the clamp stand
- Excessively large swings will be avoid
Preliminary work: -
I set up the equipment as in the diagram and held the weight at about 45 ° and swung it 5 full oscillation. I have taken the time of the 5 oscillations to happen and recorded into a table like the one above.
This is the table of the result of preliminary work. For this experiments I have used weight of 10.94 grams.
This table shows the results of my preliminary work. My preliminarily work was successful.
This table shows the results of my investigation.
Using the results from my table, I drew a graph to show what had been obtained from the experiment. The graph clearly shows a smooth curve. This indicates that as the length of the pendulum is increased, the time will increase.
My predictions was right because looking at the table and graph it tells that the as the length of pendulum increases the time is changed.
As I said in the prediction the time is affected because the pendulum is able to work when the bob is raised up at an angle larger that the point at which it is vertically suspended at rest. By raising the bob, the pendulum gains Gravitation Potential Energy, as in being raised, it is held above this point of natural suspension and so therefore is acting against the gravitational force.
Once the bob is released, this gravitational force is able to act on it, thus moving it downward towards its original hanging point. We can say therefore, that as it is released, the Gravitational Potential Energy is converted into Kinetic Energy needed for the pendulum to swing. Once the bob returns to its original point of suspension, the Gravitational Potential Energy has been totally converted into Kinetic Energy, causing the bob to continue moving past its pivot point and up to a height equidistant from its pivot as its pivot as its starting point.
The same factors affect the pendulum o its reverse swing Gravitational Potential Energy gained after reaching its highest point in its swing, is converted into Kinetic Energy needed for it to return back to its natural point of vertical suspension. Due to this continuous motion, the bob creates an arc shaped swing. The movement of the pendulum is repeated until an external force acts on it, causing it to cease it movement. The pendulum never looses any energy; it is simply converted from one form to another and backs again.
My investigation worked quite well because I had enough results to plot the graph and for the evaluation. I had two results that didn’t fit into the pattern. Factors that may have affected the accuracy of my results are: -
- Error in measurement of angle of altitude. This angle proved difficult to measure and it was hard to get the exact same angle for each experiment. I could use a protractor to measure the angle.
- Error in measurement of string. To improve accuracy, I could have marked off the points with a pen to ensure they were as accurately measured as possible.
- Human reaction time. Depending on human reaction time, the measurement of time could have been measured inaccurately, due slow reactions when getting the stop clock. This could have been improved by involving another person to aid me with my experiment, for a quicker reaction time.
If I were to improve my investigation I would use heavier mass so that the results are not so close together and also if I were to extend my investigation, I would investigate how does the angle of altitude and the mass will affect the time.
