Pendulum Investigation

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Pendulum Investigation

Introduction

In this investigation, I will try to attempt an experiment that will

measure the time taken for a pendulum to oscillate for one complete

swing; I will also explore and investigate the numerous variables that

might effect the time taken to oscillate.

Factors effecting periodic time

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The factors, which might affect the time taken for a pendulum to

complete one swing, are:

1. The length of string

2. Weight of bob

3. Angle of release

The variables which I will be excluding from this experiment are:

Gravity. This is a force pulling a mass down at a constant rate (at 10

Newton's, or to be precise 9.8 Newton's). Also no matter the size of

an object the gravity will still pull the bob down at a constant rate.

This will have little effect so I will chosen to exclude this.

Air resistance. This will oppose the speed of the bob because as the

bob is moving through the air, it will encounter some friction which

will oppose its movement, eventually slowing it down. But this cannot

be measured, so I will not exclude this variable.

Predictions

Length of string. I believe that this is the factor which will have

most affect on the time taken of the oscillation of the pendulum. I

believe that if you were to increase the length of the string, it will

take the pendulum longer to travel, as you are increasing the size of

the arc and thus increasing the distance needed to be travelled, hence

it will take more time. Therefore, if you are to decrease the length

of the string, it will take the pendulum a shorter amount of time to

travel, as you have decreased the size of the arc and thus shortening

the distance needed to travel. Also because the arc is longer there is

relatively more friction opposing the bob.

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[IMAGE][IMAGE]

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Mass of sphere.

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