Name_____________________________

Pendulum Investigation

Introduction

A pendulum is a weight hanging freely from a line.

If the weight is lifted and then let go, it will swing from side to side
in a curved path called an arc.

Here the pendulum is let go at point A and swings in an arc to point

B. The time it takes to get from A to B and back to A again is called
it’s period.

Pendulums can swing at different speeds. In other words they can

have a long period, a short period, or something in between. The
problem is to find out what controls the period of the pendulum.

The force of gravity makes the pendulum swing. We cannot

change gravity. We have no control over gravity. It always affects
all pendulums in the same way. So gravity doesn’t cause any
change in the time in which the pendulum swings through its
period. It must be something else. Think about the parts of the
pendulum you can change.
You can change the mass of the weight. Does a heavier weight
swing faster than a lighter weight?

You can change the length of the line. Does a long line swing
faster than a short line?

You can change the height you let the pendulum swing from. Does
it swing faster the higher up you let it go?

Remember, you can only check one of these things at a time. For
example, if you are changing the length of the line the mass of the
weight and the height you let it go from must be the same for each
length of line you try.

In the same way, if you are changing the mass of the weight, you
must keep the length of the line and the height you let it go from
the same each time.
Finally, if you are changing the height from which you let it go you
must keep the mass of the weight and the length of the line the
same each time.

In an investigation, the things you can change (like the mass, line
length or height of drop) are called variables. You must change
only one of these variables in your investigation. The other
variables must be kept the same.

Question 1. What are the variables in this investigation?

_____________________________________________________

Question 2. Which variable will you change?

_____________________________________________________

Question 3. Which variables will you keep the same?

_____________________________________________________

Question 4. When you change your variable, what do you

think will happen to the time the pendulum takes
to complete one period?
_____________________________________________________

Question 5. Why do you think this will happen?

_____________________________________________________

Document read and questions answered

Signed - ___________________________

When this has been signed by your teacher, you may move onto the
next sheet.