A pendulum with its mass spread throughout its length is called a physical pendulum. A typical clock pendulum is an example. Students will observe a physical pendulum and measure its period, and then construct a simple pendulum with the same period. They will see that a physical pendulum acts as if its mass is concentrated at its center of mass.
Required Equipment
Meter Stick with small hole drilled very close to one end, Stop Watch, Hooked Masses, Ring Stand, Pendulum Clamp, Nail, Fishing Line
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The "Nail" required for this lab is readily available at your local hardware store. The meter stick above needs to have a hole drilled very close to one end that is large enough to insert the nail through. Each lab group would need one nail.
The "Fishing Line" required for this lab is readily available at your local hardware or sports supply store. Each lab group would need one piece of fishing line about 120 centimeters in length.
