Lab prep

Our goal will be to determine a mathematical relationship that describes the motion of a pendulum - specifically, how the time (for a complete swing - the period) depends on particular variables.  Ideally, we will have a relationship that has predictive ability - something that we can use to predict the period of any theoretical pendulum.

Think about what variables you would test to find out whether or not a pendulum's period is altered (and how)?

Think also about how many trials you may need to take, the range of values (for example, if we're talking about length - how short to how long?) and how you will represent your data (chart, graph, both?).

Finally, think about how you will determine a mathematical relationship from all of the data?  Can a data set or graph give you an equation?  How?