Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to plot the position versus time graph for a swinging pendulum. They will determine the period of the motion and model the position data using a cosine function.
Before the Activity
Connect the motion detector to the DIG/SONIC port of the
CBL 2™ or DIG/SONIC 1 port of the Vernier LabPro®
Connect the CBL 2 or LabPro to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit cable
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 247 - 252 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Hang the pendulum bob from about 80 cm of string from a rigid support
Position the motion detector about 1 m away from the
bob, pointing at the bob
Measure and record the distance from the bob to the motion detector; this distance must be at least 75 cm
Pull back the bob not more than 20 cm before releasing it
Measure the period of the pendulum and record it in the Data sheet
Swing the bob away from the motion detector and observe the distance versus time graph
Compare the data to the cosine model
Determine the period of the pendulum
After the Activity
Students' will analyze data and complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They will also answer questions listed in it.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary