Main Project Information Introduction Initial Observations & Hypothesis Materials & Equipment

Experiments Discussion Application Conclusion

Discussion

My measurements confirmed my hypothesis that the period of the pendulum oscillations does not depend on the mass, either the angle of revolution, and the period of the pendulum oscillations increases as the length of the pendulum decreases.

I tried to determine how the period of oscillations depends on the length. For this I used the Graphical Analysis 3.2 software.

Plot 4. Period vs. Length curve fitting

As one see from the graphs the period of oscillations varies as the square root of the length of the pendulum. The Graphical Analysis software found this dependence:

(1)

This experimental result is in good agreement with the theoretical formula

(2)

where g is the acceleration to gravity and is a constant.

The value of g depends on which planet you make your measurements. Even on the same planet the value of g is slightly different on different places. For example, on the mountains the value of g is greater, then on prairies.

I evaluated g from my experiments. First, I change the form of formula (2)

(3)

Comparison of formulas (1) and (2) shows that

(4)

By solving the equation (4) for g we find its value,

This is very close to the number found from more precise experiments, 9.8.

Main Project Information Introduction Initial Observations & Hypothesis Materials & Equipment

Experiments Discussion Application Conclusion