In: Physics
Pendulum experiment:
1) create a plot of length (x axis) versus average period (y axis). Make sure to clearly label your axes and indicate units.
(2) create a plot of length (x axis) versus (average period)2 (y axis). Add a linear trend line. Record the slope of the best fit line.
(3) recall that the period of an ideal simple pendulum is given by the following relation: T= 2pi sq rt of L/g
squaring both sides of the equation gives us this relation: T^2=4pi^2L/g= 4pi^2/g*L. Using the slope of your T2 versus L plot determine the acceleration due to gravity.
(4) how close is your experimentally determined gravitational acceleration to 9.81m/s^2? What are potential sources for error in this experiment?
(5) for small angles does the pendulums period of oscillation depend in the initial angular displacement from equilibrium? Explain.
(6) 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?
(7) use the relation of the period of an ideal simple pendulum. = 2pi square rt of L/g to calculate the ratio of the periods of identical pendulums on the earth and on mars. Note the gravitational acceleration on the surface of mars is approx 3.7 m/s^2.