Can anyone help me out on the simple pendulum lab?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the experimental velocity of a simple pendulum using data collected from a photogate. The user has successfully derived the theoretical velocity using conservation of energy but struggles with the experimental calculations. To accurately determine the velocity, it is essential to record two time measurements as the pendulum bob passes through the photogate and to use the length of the pendulum in conjunction with these times. The user is advised that a single time measurement is insufficient for calculating velocity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of energy principles
  • Familiarity with pendulum mechanics
  • Knowledge of photogate operation and data collection
  • Basic skills in calculating velocity from time and distance
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to calculate velocity using two time measurements and distance
  • Research the principles of pendulum motion and energy conservation
  • Explore the use of photogates in experimental physics
  • Investigate methods for measuring arc length in pendulum experiments
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Students conducting physics experiments, educators teaching pendulum dynamics, and anyone interested in experimental data analysis in physics labs.

exparrot
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For the simple pendulum lab, I have to find the percent difference between my theoretical and experimental velocity. I found out my theoretical velocity as I used the conservation of energy to generate an equation for v, but I'm having a hard time calculating my velocity from my experimental data! So what happened was that a bob was swung at different angles (10° to 60°) with the bob going through a photogate. The time recorded was the time the moment the bob entered through the photogate. Using this time and other data present (pendulum length, radius of bob...) I have to find velocity, BUT I have no clue how to do so. I tried to find my time by finding the arc length (the length of the path traveled by the bob) divided by my time, but my answers are so way off from my theoretical. I really don't know what to do and I'm so frustrated... I would really appreciate if anyone could help me out on this one! Thank you!
 
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exparrot said:
... The time recorded was the time the moment the bob entered through the photogate. Using this time and other data present (pendulum length, radius of bob...) I have to find velocity, BUT I have no clue how to do so. ...
One time is not sufficient to to extract velocity information from experimental data. The first time a photogate beam is interrupted, a clock starts running (that's t = 0). You need a second time and a length to determine speed. Exactly what times did you record?
 
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