Question

*ratings for typed answers ONLY*

Answer the following question: How would your results differ if you performed the experiment on Mars? with the given information below!

Using the slope of your T² versus L plot, determine the acceleration due to gravity.

The slope of the graph = 0.042924

Acceleration due to gravity 39.47/0.042924=939,761

Acceleration due to gravity = 9.39 m/s²

Based on your results, please answer the following questions:

1. How close is your experimentally determined gravitational acceleration to 9.81 m/s²? What are potential sources for error in the experiment?

Based on our calculus, our result equals 9.39 m/s2 is close to the value of 9.81 m/s2. The explanation for the small difference is represented by potential errors that took place during the experiment. In most cases, this is due to human error. This can include parallax error that took place when the measurement of lengths was done or a mistake in recording the period of time.

2. For small angles, does the pendulum's period of oscillation depend on the initial angular displacement from equilibrium? Explain.

It is important to understand that the period T is dependent on the length of the string. As we can see, the higher the length is, the longer the value of T is. Because of that, the period T won't be dependent on the mass of the initial angular displacement.

3. Why is it a good idea to use a relatively heavy mass in this experiment? What would you say to a colleague that wanted to use only one washer as the pendulum mass?

An important thing during this experiment is to keep the string as straight as possible during the entire period of motion. In order to do that, it needs to use a relatively high mass to straighten the line. Using only one washer can lead to an incorrect result. This is because one washer represents a small weight, and the air resistance will be more effective.

Answer 1

The acceleration due to gravity on Mars is very small as compared to Earth, it is near about 3.7 m/s²

Hence The slope of the graph will be smaller

Acceleration due to gravity on Mars will be 3.7 m/s2

1. How close is your experimentally determined gravitational acceleration to 3.71 m/s2? What are potential sources for error in the experiment?

The explanation for the small difference is represented by potential errors that took place during the experiment. In most cases, this is due to human error. This can include parallax error that took place when the measurement of lengths was done or a mistake in recording the period of time.

2. For small angles, does the pendulum's period of oscillation depend on the initial angular displacement from equilibrium? Explain.

It is important to understand that the period T is dependent on the length of the string. As we can see, the higher the length is, the longer the value of T is. Because of that, the period T won't be dependent on the mass and of the initial angular displacement.

3. Why is it a good idea to use a relatively heavy mass in this experiment? What would you say to a colleague that wanted to use only one washer as the pendulum mass?

An important thing during this experiment is to keep the string as straight as possible during the entire period of motion. In order to do that, it needs to use more heavy mass to straighten the line because gravity on Mars is much smaller than the earth and using only one washer can lead to an incorrect result. This is because one washer represents a very small weight at Mars, so it may be difficult to keep the string straight throughout the motion.