The Pendulum – a Lab on Frequency
A lab that tests frequency and the affecting factors.
This lab is performed to determine factors of frequency using a swinging pendulum device.
Image via Wikipedia
Question
What are the relationships between the frequency of a simple pendulum and its mass, amplitude and length?
Hypothesis
I think that as mass increases or decreases the frequency will stay constant, as amplitude increases or decreases the frequency will also be constant. As the length of the string changes I believe that the frequency will change. If the length increases the frequency decreases and as length decreases frequency will increase.
Observations
|
Trial # |
Length(cm) |
Mass (g) |
Amplitude (cm) |
Time (s) |
Frequency (Hz) |
|
1 |
100 |
100 |
10 |
20 |
0.5 |
|
2 |
100 |
100 |
20 |
20 |
0.5 |
|
3 |
100 |
100 |
30 |
20 |
0.5 |
|
4 |
100 |
100 |
20 |
20 |
0.5 |
|
5 |
100 |
500 |
20 |
20 |
0.5 |
|
6 |
100 |
1000 |
20 |
20 |
0.5 |
|
7 |
100 |
100 |
20 |
20 |
0.5 |
|
8 |
80 |
100 |
20 |
17 |
0.6 |
|
9 |
60 |
100 |
20 |
16 |
0.625 |
|
10 |
40 |
100 |
20 |
13 |
0.8 |
|
11 |
20 |
100 |
20 |
10 |
1.0 |
As mass and amplitude changed the frequency stayed constant but when length increased the frequency decreases and as length decreases frequency increases.
My predictions where entirely correct because mass and amplitude did not change the frequency but length did increase or decrease frequency.
Some sources of error could be: pendulum stand unbalanced or moving, string inaccurately measured, timing can only be so accurate, faulty clamps.
In conclusion frequency is only affected by length. Amplitude and mass have no affect on frequency.
Liked it
No Responses to “The Pendulum – a Lab on Frequency”
Post Comment