PASCO ME-9502, Manual, Page: 65 / 94

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M o d e l N o . M E - 9 5 0 2 E x p . 1 1 A : S i m p l e H a r m o n i c M o t i o n – 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 61
5. Stretch one of the threads from the Force Disk to the arc on the board. Arrange the thread so it is straight down
from the Force Wheel, and put a mark on the arc and label it as 0°.
6. Keep the thread taut and move it so the angle relative to vertical is 5°. Put a mark on the arc and label it.
7. Continue to move the thread along the arc and put a mark at every 5° interval until the string is horizontal.
8. Remove the Force Wheel and replace the Balance Arm on the board in its original position.
Procedure
1. Hold the beam of the Balance Arm so its center line points at the 5° mark on the arc. Release the beam and
measure the time for at least ten oscillations. Record the time and the number of oscillations.
2. Hold the beam so its center line points at the 10° mark and repeat the measurement.
3. Continue to measure and record the total time for at least ten oscillations at each angle until you reach 90°.
Data Table
Analysis
1. Calculate and record the period for each angle by dividing the total time by the number of oscillations.
2. Create a graph of period versus angle.
Question
1. At what angle does the period of the physical pendulum begin to change?
2. Does the period increase or decrease as the initial angle increases?
Angle Oscillations Total Time (s) Period (s) Angle Oscillations Total Time (s) Period (s)
5 50
10 55
15 60
20 65
25 70
30 75
35 80
40 85
45 90