PASCO ME-9502 Statics System - Manual (Page 68)

S t a t i c s S y s t e m E x p . 1 1 B : M i n i m u m P e r i o d o f a P h y s i c a l P e n d u l u m
®
64 012-12876B
Procedure
1. Move the pivot of the Balance Arm to a position one centimeter (cm) above the
midpoint of the beam (presumably the center of mass of the beam). Mount the pivot
on the Statics Board.
2. Start the beam swinging but keep the angle of the swing reasonably small (less than
20°)..
3. Measure and record the total time for 10 oscillations.
4. Change the position of the beam so that the pivot point is one centimeter farther
from the center of mass. Repeat the measurement for the total time of oscillation.
5. Increase the distance, L
cm
, by one centimeter again and repeat the procedure.
6. Increase the distance, L
cm
, by one centimeter until you reach the 170 mm mark on
the beam.
7. Record the total length, L, of the beam.
• Total length, L = ____________ m
Data Table
Trial Distance, L
cm
(m) Oscillations Total Time (s) Measured Period (s)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Pivot
point
Beam
Center of
mass
Fig. 11.6: Setup