Basic Idea:

• Examine the relationship between period and pendulum length.

	What:	How Many:	Where:
	Pendulum bobs	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf E3
	Pendulum clamp	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf C3
	Long metal rod (1 m x 0.2 m)	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf B5
	Large clamps	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf C4
	Photogate	1	non-Majors storeroom, BB3
	Metersticks & 2-Metersticks	1 each	non-Majors Storeroom, shelf AA1
	Meterstick calipers	2	non-Majors storeroom, shelf AA3
	Vernier calipers	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf BB3
The following are used for the instructor demo
	2 kg metal pendulum bob	1	Lecture/Demo room (Valentine 205A)
	Pendulum bob	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf E3
	Large clamps	2	non-Majors storeroom, shelf C4
	Very long metal rod (1.25 m x 0.2 m)	2	non-Majors storeroom, shelf B5
	Steel rod (50 cm x 13 mm)	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf A3
	Right angle clamp	2	non-Majors storeroom, shelf B3
	Knife edge clamp	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf C2
	Pendulum clamp (heavy)	2	non-Majors storeroom, shelf C3

Computers Needed?

• Yes (See Computer Notes below).

• Lab Setup (see this page for detailed photos):

  

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• Setup (front view):
  

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• Photogate arrangement (Note: the photogate is tripped by the small cylinder on the string - actually, it's the inner core of a coaxial cable!):
  

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• Make an extra setup on the left side of the instructors bench for demo using 2 kg iron bob and wooden bob. Students will view the demo from the side to see that the two swing in unison; make sure the wooden bob is closer to the students than the iron bob. Displace using small amplitude to show that period depends upon length, not mass (see the detailed photos for an improved configuration).

  

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• Computer Notes: KaleidaGraph needs a General fit called "Square Root":

  a*x^0.5; a=1