1. Fashion a pendulum by attaching a string to a cluster of large washers. Measure the mass of the washers.

2. Attach the pendulum to a point of suspension. Measure the length of the pendulum (point of suspension to center of mass).

3. Measure the period (the time for one cycle) of the pendulum.

4. Now, in cooperation with a neighboring group, fashion two identical pendulums (same mass, same length). Start them with the same initial displacement; what do you notice about the periods? Start them with different initial displacement; what do you notice about the periods? What do you conclude about the relationship between period and initial displacement?

5. Now change the mass of one of the pendulums. Be sure that the lengths are the same (point of suspension to center of mass). Start them with the same initial displacement; what do you notice about the periods? What do you conclude about the relationship between period and mass.?

6. Now change the length of one of the pendulums Start them with the same initial displacement; what do you notice about the periods? What do you conclude about the relationship between period and pendulum length?

7. Use your pendulum to count how many cycles it makes in 30 seconds. The instructor will say 3-2-1- go. Start your pendulum on "go" call out "time" when you think 30 seconds has elapsed.

8. Direct your attention to the front board where you will find a time scale. Remove your pendulum from its suspension point and place it on the time line so that the attachment point on the string intersects the timeline at the period of the pendulum. Now look at the shape of the curve made by the masses. Please comment.

9.Last edited 01/01/06

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