Tag Archives: periodic motion

Factors Affecting Frequency

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Arbor Scientific

Two experiments. Choose one. In the first, students are guided through the process of testing 3 variables; mass, length, and amplitude; to determine which affects the frequency of a simple pendulum. In the second, students use inquiry and experimental design to test the same variables.

This post was posted in Labs, Motion and was tagged with mass, pendulum, frequency, periodic motion, length, amplitude
Graphing Pendulum Motion

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Arbor Scientific

Students predict and then measure, using a motion sensor, the changing position, velocity and acceleration of a simple pendulum. Graphing the motion leads to a discussion of the total force on the pendulum at different points in its motion.

This post was posted in Labs, Motion and was tagged with acceleration, periodic motion, graphing pendulum motion
Physical Pendulum

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Arbor Scientific

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.

This post was posted in Labs, Motion and was tagged with pendulum, periodic motion, physical pendulum
Simple Pendulum

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Arbor Scientific

Students will test two variables, to determine their effect on the pendulum’s period. Just as objects with different masses accelerate in free-fall at the same rate, changing the mass of a simple pendulum will not change its period. Changing the length of the pendulum does effect the period, with shorter pendulums having shorter periods.

This post was posted in Labs, Motion and was tagged with periodic motion, simple pendulum, variables

Tag Archives: periodic motion

Factors Affecting Frequency

Graphing Pendulum Motion

Physical Pendulum

Simple Pendulum