Which factors affect the time a pendulum takes to swing

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Science investigation, which factors affect the time a pendulum takes to swing.



Preliminary Work

Before the main experiment can be carried out, the factors that affect the time a pendulum takes to swing must be determined, there are a number of changes which could affect the time of swing, so my preliminary work will consist of three simple experiments to determine which one does.

  1. Change of angle.
  2. Change of mass.
  3. Change in length of string.

Whichever change affects the time of swing will be investigated further in my main experiment.
To keep the preliminary fair, each experiment will be started in exactly the same way. For example each test will use the same length of sting, same weight and same angle, only one factor at a time will be changed. Also the same cork will be used for the pivot and the height of the retort stand and clamp will remain the same, there will be one person timing the whole experiment because different people have different reaction times and this could affect the results slightly.

Predictions

I predict that the only factor, which will affect the time it takes for the pendulum to swing, is changing the length of the string. This is because a swing follows a circular motion and changing the length of the string would make the circumference of the circle smaller meaning the pendulum would have to go faster. I think changing the mass of the weight won’t make a difference because heavy things fall just as fast as light things and I believe this is the same for swinging objects. I don’t think changing the angle will have an effect because gravity is equal no matter how high objects are.

Apparatus needed

  • Retort stand
  • Clamp
  • Timer
  • String
  • Cork
  • Angle measurer
  • Ruler
  • Set of weights


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Experiment 1, change of angle

                                                                        Diagram    

Set up the retort stand with clamp near

top. Tie weight at bottom of string and
secure string into place with cork.

Place angle measurer at point of pivot,

change angle of string by pulling weight up

to required angle. Take protractor away and

let weight swing, time for 10 swings, record

in table. Divide time by 10 to get time for 1

swing, repeat for all other angles. Do

experiment 3 times, and work out an average.

Experiment 2, change of weight

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