The Best Lab Ever


Welcome --
This is a website dedicated to The Best Lab in The World, completed in February of 2010 by ninth graders in Pasadena, CA.

Above is a picture of our pendulum. If you have any questions about our findings or you just want to share your thoughts please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

Enjoy
A Lab Completed by Olivia T., Bryce C., and Kevin M. 

February 2010

Purpose of Experiment

The purpose of this experiment is to determine which of the variables (length of string, mass of weight, angle of release) effects the period of the pendulum.


Hypothesis

The group hypothesizes that all variables changes will effect the period of the pendulum swing.  The lengthening of the string, increasing of weight, and increasing of angle will lengthen the period of the swing and vice versa.    

Data 

Mass(g) 200 200 200
Length(m) 0.495 0.495 0.495
Angle(degrees) 10 25 30
Average Period(s) 1.4426 1.3936 1.451
Time Trial(s) 14.4 14 14.25
Time Trial(2) 14.11 13.96 14.29
Time Trial(3) 13.77 13.85 14.99
Average Time 14.426 13.936 14.51












 
Angle(degrees) 30 30 30
Length(m) 0.495 0.495 0.495
Mass(g) 20 50 200
Average Period(s) 1.3606 1.416 1.451
Time Trial(s) 14.11 14.01 14.25
Time Trial(2) 13.57 14.35 14.29
Time Trial(3)
 13.68 14.12 14.99
Average Time                                         13.606 14.16 14.51



Angle(degrees) 30 30 30
Length(m) 0.495 0.495 0.495
Mass(g) 20 50 200
Average Period(s) 1.3606 1.416 1.451
Time Trial(s) 14.11 14.01 14.25
Time Trial(2) 13.57 14.35 14.29
Time Trial(3) 13.68 14.12 14.99
Average Time 13.606 14.16 14.51
























Summary 

Overall, the group concluded that the length of the string has the greatest effect on the period of the pendulum. Olivia, Bryce, and Kevin have used data to disprove the hypothesis, in which it was predicted that all of the variables have an equal effect on the pendulum. Although, error effected the swinging pendulum, errors including air resistance and the movement of the rig itself, the data that was found indicates that the length of the string effects the period more than any other variable.





















Analysis  
Of all the changeable variables, it was concluded that the length of the string effected the period of the swing the most.  The longer the string, the longer the period and vice versa.  Increase of angle increased the amount of time it took to for the pendulum to swing, as did increase of weight according to our data. 

Source of Experimental Error

There are various sources of error in our experiment.  First and foremost, air-resistance caused our pendulum to lose energy to friction.  This undoubtedly affected the period of our pendulum swing.   Another source of error is the movement of the rig itself during the swing which changed the period of the pendulum as well. A third source of error is that since the center of the weight was "eye balled" the measurement could be a little off. Because of the inaccurate measurement,the data could be incorrect.        

Procedure 

1.       Materials needed: String, protractor, weights of various mass, scissors, stopwatch, and a pendulum stand-system as displayed in our picture on the left.

2.       Cut the string down to the desired length and make a loop at one end of the string.

3.       Tie the string to the top of the pendulum-system.

4.       Hook the weight to the loop of the string.

5.       Measure the length of the pendulum by placing the top of the ruler at the bottom of the string clamps on top of the pendulum-system and then measure down to the center of gravity of the weight.

6.       Place a protractor at the top of your pendulum and move your string to the desired angle.

7.       Release the pendulum and start the stopwatch simultaneously.

8.       Time the amount of time the pendulum takes to swing back and forth ten times.

9.       Repeat three times and record your times, length, and weight of the pendulum.

10.   Change the variables three times each and repeat steps 2-9 as desired.

11.   Record all of your data and determine which variable most effects the period of the pendulum.

12.   Have fun!



Comments

Bryce Cire - Feb 11, 2010 8:24 AM

this is the best lab in the world

Anna Porter - Feb 16, 2010 4:16 PM

I think this lab is pretty good. The them is great and its nice and visually appealing. It seems here is a lot of empty spaces and gaps between some of your graphs. I also think you should have made the font of he data bigger, because it is quite small and difficult to read. The procedure is very detailed and efficient. Also, i really like how you guys put a welcome into the page, something nobody else did. ;)
Good job!
-Anna

Ben Smith - Feb 16, 2010 4:17 PM

LOVE THE COLORS!!! the graphs are very well put together and organized. though the site itself is very pretty and organized, there is a lot of un-used space which could have been used. Just keep that in mind when you make another website in the future.

Alison Ball - Feb 16, 2010 4:52 PM

Overall, I think this lab was pretty well done. The data seems accurate and pretty well organized. However, I think the analysis was not quite as well thought-out as it could have been, and some of the graphs were very small and hard to read. There was also a lot of empty space between different sections. However, the aesthetics were great, especially the picture background at the top! Good job!

Kelly McGee - Feb 16, 2010 5:31 PM

I really like your groups color scheme and a good layout however the paragraphs are out of order. When looking at your experimental error paragraph, I noticed that you mention guessing on the center of the bob and the effect of air resistance on the bob. The air resistance is always going to be a factor unless your in a vacuum so therefore it's not experimental. Also the measurement is a human error not experimental (having to do with the setup or procedure of the experiment itself). Overall sickk lab.

Lillian Mecum - Feb 16, 2010 9:02 PM

First of all, I just wanted to commend you on having put together the most interesting and attractive lab I have seen yet! However, the tables are a bit hard to read since the font is so small, and the graphs are different sizes. On the other hand, the analysis and sources of error were really well-explained. In general, this is an awesome site!

Nelson Jones III - Feb 18, 2010 8:26 AM

Without a doubt this is the most pleasing to the eye lab. The only things that i would fix are the placement of certain things like the procedure and the summary. Also, there are large spaces in between the graphs. Overall this is one of the best labs that i have seen. :D