Pendulum Investigation

An inquiry investigation to launch our study of physics:

what are the properties of a pendulum? We thought about several questions:

·        Will the period (one back and forth swing, or oscillation) be different for different masses?  If so, will it be less (swing faster) or greater (swing more slowly) if a heavier mass is used?

·        Will the period be different for different length pendulums?  Will it decrease (swing faster) or increase (swing more slowly) if a longer string is used?

·        Will the period be different for different starting angles (amplitudes)?

·        What factors are involved?

·        How will control those factors that you are not testing?

A large part of the work involved in this investigation was thinking about how to measure and record data, as well as the actual physics involved. A great start to a fascinating unit of study!