Today you’ll be investigating pendulums using the PhET Pendulum Lab.
Answer the following questions on paper and turn in at the end of class.
- Play with the Pendulum Lab to figure out what variables affect the motion of a pendulum and write qualitative descriptions for each variable. Ex: “Increasing the mass does…”
- Design experiments to find the best equation for the relationship between the length of the pendulum and period. Include a table and graph of your data, or make a spreadsheet and chart with a trendline in Google Sheets.
- Design experiments to find the best equation for the relationship between the angle the pendulum was released from and period. Include a table and graph of your data, or make a spreadsheet and chart with a trendline in Google Sheets.
- Using what you know about Potential and Kinetic Energy, create an equation that attempts to calculate the velocity of the pendulum at the bottom of it’s swing as a function of:
- Angle that it was released from and
- Pendulum length.
Remember, PE initial =KE final!
You may work with a small group, but everyone must turn in a paper!