Step 1, collect data
1) Tie a weight to the end of the string or rope. Measure the length from the pivot point to the center of mass of the weight. Record this length and record in the table. This is the length of the pendulum. Using a stopwatch, time the time it takes for S complete oscillations. Record this number in the table
2) Change the length of the pendulum. Record the new length. Again, calculate the time for 5 complete Oscillations
3) Repeat above to collect 5 different data points.
Step 2, Organize data
Pendulum
Length
Trial 1 Time for 5 Oscillations
0.47
3.247
6.86
Trial 2 Time for S Oscillations
6.97
Trial 3 Time for 5 Oscillations
16.234
Period
Average time for 5 oscillations
10.54
7.05
Step 3, Analyze data
1) Calculate the period of the pendulum for each trial by dividing the time for 5 oscillations by 5.
Trial 1: 3.247 / 5 = 0.6494 s
Trial 2: 6.86 / 5 = 1.372 s
Trial 3: 16.234 / 5 = 3.2468 s
2) Calculate the average period by finding the mean of the three trial periods.
Average period = (0.6494 + 1.372 + 3.2468) / 3 = 1.7564 s
Step 4, Interpret results
The average period of the pendulum is 1.7564 seconds.