Del Mar

8th Grade Science

Name: Jack Eilers Date: 9/24/14 Per: 1

Goals - To develop the skills of a scientist

by reviewing the scientific method.

graphing with independent variable as x axis, and dependent variable as y axis
Introducing accuracy, reproducibility and significant figures

Problem

What affects the period of a pendulum?

period = the time a pendulum swings back and forth once

Materials
stand, string, washers, big paperclips, rulers, stop watch

Hypothesis
I think that the weight of the pendulum will affect the period of

a pendulum by decrease the period as the weight of the bob increases.

Therefore, my independent variable is the weight of the bob.
Independent variable = manipulated variable-what I am changing

My dependent variable is the period of the pendulum.

Dependent variable = responding variable -what I am measuring

My controlled variables are: The length of the pendulum and not

changing the start angle of the pendulum.
Controlled variables are everything I am keeping the same

Starting Data
Independent Variable

Starting Value

Incremental change

Weight of bob

1 Washer

+ 1 Washer

Dependent variable = the period of the pendulum (swing time)

Controlled Variables
String length

Value
30.4

Angle of dropping

88

Experimental Data
Time of 5 swings (s)

Average time
for 5 swings (s)

The Period (s)

Independent
variable = ______
1 Washer

9.39

9.38

9.385

1.877

2 Washers

9.511

9.398

9.4545

1.8909

Trial

Eilers, Jack

Test 1 Test 2

Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 2:32:28 PM Pacific Standard Time

70:56:81:af:87:1b

(Average time for 1

swing)

3 Washers

9.454

9.697

9.5755

1.9151

4 Washers

9.893

9.499

9.696

1.9392

5 Washers

9.409

9.966

9.6875

1.9375

Graph your results- title and label your graph!

(Whatever your independent variable is, it goes on the
x-axis & the period on the y-axis.) See my download
file: graph in excel. Dont forget units!

Analyze and Conclude (note delete this section when turning in your assignment)
1.
The period of the pendulum with be effected by putting more weight on it.
In this lab we tested if the period of the pendulum would be effected if we added
weight to it. I think that the weight of the pendulum will affect the period of
a pendulum by decrease the period as the weight of the bob increases.
Therefore, my independent variable is the weight of the bob.
My dependent variable is the period of the pendulum.
My controlled variables, the length of the pendulum and not changing the start angle
of the pendulum. The procedures that I went through to affect the weight of the bob
(independent variable) were to add more pendulums to one it worked out in the end.
My data shows my hypothesis was correct because my hypothesis states that if I add
weights to the bob it will slow down. My graph also shows the same.
My data compared to all the other groups are very similar. The people who had the
same hypothesis as me found the same conclusions that I did. Using the sites I found
that lots of things effect the period of the pendulum such as the weight, gravity, angle,
or how long the string is. Overall I found that my hypothesis was correct and my test
was accurate.

The Effect of the mass of the bob on

the period of a Pendulum
Period

3
2

2, 1.8909

1, 1.877

3, 1.951

4, 1.9392

5, 1.95825

1
0
0

Number of Washers

Eilers, Jack

Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 2:32:28 PM Pacific Standard Time

70:56:81:af:87:1b