Calculations, Questions – PASCO ME-9502 Statics System User Manual

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M o d e l N o . M E - 9 5 0 2

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

0 1 2 - 1 2 8 7 6 B

Calculations

For each distance, L

, calculate and record the Measured Period by dividing the total time by the number of

oscillations.

Create a graph of Measured Period versus distance, L

, to determine which length gives the minimum

period.

•

Minimum L

= _______________

Use calculus to find the derivative of the period:

•

Set the derivative equal to zero and solve for L

to confirm that this distance is

•

Calculate and record the value for L

based on the total length, L.

•

Theoretical L

= _______________

Questions

Based on the graph, for which distance from the pivot point to the center of mass (L

) is the period a mini-

mum?

How does the value from the graph for the distance that gives minimum period compare to the theoretical
(calculated) value for the distance?

What would happen if you move the pivot point to the beam’s center of mass and then pulled the beam aside
at a small angle less than 20°? Assume that the pivot is perfectly frictionless.



------L

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----------L