What Is the Value of K in a Pendulum Lab?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining the value of K in a pendulum lab experiment, where K is calculated using the formula K = 4π²/m², with m representing the slope of the graph plotting periods against length. Participants noted that the professor's approach may have been intended to surprise students by relabeling constants, as the calculated value of K was approximately 9.77, closely aligning with the standard gravitational acceleration of 9.8 m/s². This suggests that K may indeed relate to gravitational acceleration, despite initial assumptions that it represented a spring constant from Hooke's Law.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of pendulum motion and its mathematical representation
  • Familiarity with the formula for gravitational acceleration, g = Lπ²/T²
  • Basic knowledge of graphing and interpreting slopes
  • Concept of spring constant in Hooke's Law
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of the formula K = 4π²/m² in the context of pendulum motion
  • Explore the relationship between pendulum length and period in greater detail
  • Investigate the implications of human error in experimental physics
  • Study the principles of Hooke's Law and its applications in oscillatory motion
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics courses, educators teaching pendulum dynamics, and anyone interested in experimental methods in classical mechanics.

bolivartech
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Homework Statement


We did a pendulum lab and found Q then we were asked to find K from that. The professor gave us a formula K= 4pi2/m2
where m was the slope of a line on a graph of our periods vs lengthQ
then stated it should be number we would recognize. I assumed maybe we were going to calculate g, as this is something I have done before but I thought K was a spring constant from Hookes law. What am I trying to find.


Homework Equations



g=Lpi2/T2


The Attempt at a Solution



The data is relative but I did get some answers around 9.77, close enough to 9.8 considering the human error involved.
 
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Perhaps your professor just relabelled the constants to give the element of surprise. It would be pretty obvious what it would be if he had used the standard g.
 

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