Experiment 1 : Understanding the steps in scientific investigation

……………………………………………………………………Aim : To investigate whether the period of oscillation of a

pendulum increases with the length of the pendulum.

Problem statement : how does the length of a pendulum affect its

period of oscillation?

Hypothesis : The longer a pendulum is , the longer its period of

oscillation will be

Variables a) Manipulated : ……the length of pendulum

b) Responding : …period of oscillation

c) Fixed : …mass of pendulum

Apparatus : Retort stand , metre rule and stopwatch

Materials : String ,pendulum bob

Procedure :

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram and adjust the length of the pendulum to 20cm

2. Pull the pendulum bob aside and release it. Let the pendulum swing for a while.

3. After a few swings , start the stopwatch to measure the time taken by the pendulum to make 10 oscillations.

4. Record the time taken in the table provided.

5. Repeat Steps 2 to 4 , using pendulum lengths of 60cm, 80 cm and 100cm.

Method : ………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………….

1. The apparatus was set up as shown in the diagram 1 and the length of the

pendulum was adjusted to 40 cm.

Length of Length of

pendulum ( cm )pendulum ( cm )Time taken to Time taken to complete 10 complete 10

oscillations ( s )oscillations ( s )

Time taken to Time taken to complete 1 complete 1

oscillations ( s)oscillations ( s)

2020

11

3030

4040

5050

2 Average

Discussion :

1. Based on the table above , what is the relationship between

the length of pendulum and its period of oscillation ?

The period of oscillation of a pendulum ……………….. With its length.

2. Why do we need to measure the time taken for 10

oscillations?

…………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………..

3. What slows down the swing of a pendulum ?

…………………….. slows down the swing of a pendulum.

4. Is the hypothesis acceptable ?

………………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion : The ………………….. a pendulum is , the ………………………. Its

period of oscillation will be .

Conclusion : The ………………….. a pendulum is , the ………………………. Its period of oscillation will be .