Mechanics:
Stopped Pendulum

PIRA Class: 1M40.15

Purpose:
To demonstrate conservation of mechanical energy in a pendulum whose length is modified mid-swing.

Description:
A pendulum is set into motion such that the string will strike a horizontal rod as passes through vertical effectively changing the length of the pendulum.

1. Demonstrate the pendulum without the stopping rod to show that it swings up to the same height from which it was released.

2. Add the stopping rod showing that the pendulum still swings up to the same height from which it was released.

Here is a video of the demo (note the use of the mounted meter stick as a convenient way to illustrate the release and swing height)

Equipment:
Ring stand and cross bars, string, hanging weight

Location:
Shelf 153 and 151 (ring stand and weights), string is in a drawer across from PHYS-102