Analysis

1. Why is Logger Pro set up to report the time between every other blocking of the
Photogate? Why not the time between every block?
Since a pendulum moves in an oscillatory motion, this can be mathematically represented as a
sine graph. Since a sine graph is a periodic function, to obtain the period one need to measure the
time between two points that have the same phase on the graph. That is, measuring time lapse
between two points in the motion where the displacement and the direction of motion are in
phase. However, it is generally impossible to get the position of the Photogate exactly at the
equilibrium of the motion, hence, the elapsed time is taken between crossings in the same
direction.
2. Use Logger Pro to plot a graph of pendulum period vs. amplitude in degrees. Does the
period depend on amplitude?

Figure 1 Period vs. Amplitude
No it does not. A zero slope indicates that there is no relationship at all between period and
amplitude.


3. Plot a graph of pendulum period T vs. length l. Does the period appear to depend on
length?

Figure 2 Period vs. Length
Yes. A positive slope indicates a positive correlation between period and length. From the graph
itself, it seems that the period is a function of length, T(l).
4. Plot the pendulum period vs. mass. Does the period appear to depend on mass? Do you
have enough data to answer conclusively?

Figure 3 Period vs. Mass
From the graph above, it can be deduced that the period is independent of mass. Although the
graph has only 3 data points, a value of exactly zero is the slope of the line thus, it can be said
that the period does not depend on the mass of the object.
5. To examine more carefully how the period, T, depends on the pendulum length l, create
the following two additional graphs of the same data: T
2
vs. l and T vs. l
2
. Of the three
period-length graphs, which is closest to a direct proportion; that is, which plot is most
nearly a straight line that goes through the origin?

Figure 4 T
2
vs. l

Figure 5 T vs. l
2

The graph that is closest to a straight line is the T
2
vs. l because the magnitude of every
square of the period T
2
is small when plotted against the length l. On the other hand, in T vs.
l
2
, the period is sufficiently small as it is held constant compared to an enormous increase of
the length. Thus, T
2
vs l is the closest because their order of magnitudes are closer.
Using Newton's laws, we can show that for the small oscillations of a simple pendulum, the
period, T, is related to the length, l, and free-fall acceleration, g, by

or
Does one of your graphs support this relationship?
Yes. In Figures 4 and 5, both show a positive slope which suggests that there exist a relationship
between period and length.