- #1
QuarkCharmer
- 1,051
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Homework Statement
We did a lab, where, in the first part we timed the period of a pendulum with varying lengths. In the second part, we timed the period of a pendulum with varying masses.
I got the results that I expected to get. However, I do not understand two of the lab questions.
A.) Length: Go to Graphical Analysis and Graph Time vs. Length. Explain the effects of length on the time of the swing.
B.) Go to Graphical Analysis and Graph Time vs. Mass. Explain the effects of mass on the time of the swing.
Homework Equations
[tex]T_{p}=2π\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
Clearly, mass had no effect on the time of the swing, and as the length of the string increased, so did the period of oscillation.
What I don't understand is what I am supposed to graph exactly? For both of those parts, the professor instructed us to use a graph of time squared vs. length and time squared vs. mass. and then gave us a subtle hint to solve for g.
I don't understand what she is getting at with this cryptic clue. What is the significance of graphing the data with time squared? How am I supposed to find our local gravitational constant from this graph? (Assuming that is what was implied).
Thanks