Del Mar

8th Grade Science

Name: Zach Wood Date: 9/30/14 Per: 5

Goals - To develop the skills of a scientist

by reviewing the scientific method.

graphing with independent variable as x axis, and dependent variable as y axis
Introducing accuracy, reproducibility and significant figures

Problem
What affects the period of a pendulum?

period = the time a pendulum swings back and forth once

Materials
stand, string, washers, big paperclips, rulers, stop watch

Hypothesis
I think that the length of string will affect the period of

a pendulum by making the period longer as the length increases.

Therefore, my independent variable is length of string.
Independent variable = manipulated variable-what I am changing

My dependent variable is length of period.

Dependent variable = responding variable -what I am measuring

My controlled variables are: The length of string, weight of bob,

and the dropping point of the bob.

Controlled variables are everything I am keeping the same

Procedure (note delete this section when turning in your assignment)

1. Decide who will be the timer, pendulum releaser and recorder. Do not change
these roles during the trials
2. Tie one end of a string to a clamp on a stand. Tie the other end to a large
paper clip. Pull out one side of the paper clip to serve as a hook.
3. Place a metal washer on the hook, and let it hang down. If necessary, raise
the clamp so that the bob swings freely.
4. Record the values of your controlled variables (the variable you are not testing.)
The controlled variables are the variables you are not changing these could
include mass of bob, length of pendulum, start height of the bob

5. Release the bob gently, without pushing it. During a complete swing, the bob
will move from its starting position and back again. Your partner should time
5 complete swings.
6. Check your experiment for accuracy (have you accurately counted the swings? etc.)
and reproducibility (run the test again - did you get approximately the same answer?)
7. Once you are convinced your data is accurate and reproducible, record the time for 5
swings. Then divide that time by 5 to find the average time for one swing.
8. Repeat steps 5 -7, changing your independent variable. -Make sure you do not
change the values of your controlled variables and make sure your incremental change
is large enough.


Starting Data
Independent Variable

Starting Value

Incremental change

Length of String
Dependent variable = the period of the pendulum (swing time)
Controlled Variables
Weight of Bob

Value
14.6

Dropping point of Bob

62 cm

Experimental Data
Average time
for 5 swings (s)

The Period (s)

7.8

7.95

1.59

7.5

7.2

7.35

1.47

36.8

6.4

6.7

6.55

1.31

31.8

6.2

6.4

6.3

1.26

26.8

6.3

5.8

6.05

1.21

Trial

Time of 5 swings (s)

Independent
variable = ______
46.8 cmb

8.1

41.8

Test 1

Test 2

(Average time for 1

swing)

Graph your results- title and label your graph!

(Whatever your independent variable is, it goes on the
x-axis & the period on the y-axis.) See my download
file: graph in excel. Dont forget units!

Analyze and Conclude (note delete this section when turning in your assignment)
1.
2.
3.
4.

Intro Sentence (1 sentence)

Ex. The period of a pendulum is the time .
Restate Problem (1 sentence)
Ex. In this lab we .
Revisit Hypothesis (1 sentence)
Explain your procedures for changing the independent variable only.
Note: dont describe the procedures for the whole experiment.
5. Explain how you kept your control variables the same.
6. Cite your data (with units) and analyze your graph and explain how it supported or
didnt support your hypothesis ( 2 to 4 sentences)
Ex. My data shows that ____
7. Compare data with other groups in your class (2 to 4 sentences)
8. Pick an internet site below and find out what really affects the period of a simple
pendulum. Did you and your classmates come to the same conclusion? Explain how
there could be errors in your data. ( 2 to 4 sentences)
http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/pendulum-lab/pendulum-lab_en.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendulum
http://dev.physicslab.org/Document.aspx?doctype=3&filename=OscillatoryMoti
on_BasicPendulum.xml
9. Concluding Sentence (1 sentence) Ex. In conclusion, the period of a pendulum is
affected by
10. To turn in your assignment, delete the procedures section and the analyze and
conclude section. Paste in your analysis and conclusion in paragraph form. Paste in
your excel graph and go to Edmodo find the assignment and hit the turn-in button,
then attach your word document with the graph pasted into it and turn it in.

The period of the pendulum is the time it takes for the bob to swing from one side to the other, and back. In this lab we tested how
the length of the string would effect the time of period. I predicted that the length of the period would be longer as the length of the
string increased.

Effect of String Length on

Period
Time of Period

2
1.5
1.21

1.26

1.31

1.47

1.59

Time

0.5
0
20

25

30
35
40
Length of String

45

50