Maximization of Pendulum Swing Time in Response to Bob Weight

Awards

• Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair

  • Participant, 2014

Summary

In seventh grade, I did my semester project testing a basic physics principle I learned in my CTY Science and Engineering course over the summer.

Abstract

At what weight will a pendulum maximize swing time? Based on my research, I hypothesized that the pendulum swing time was independent of bob weight. Keeping all other variables constant, I measured pendulum swing time for various bob weights by suspending a housing apparatus (a multivitamin container) from a clothes rack with a string, inserting different weights (the manipulated variable) into the housing apparatus, and adding packing peanuts to prevent shifting of weights. Average times taken to complete 40 swings for bob weights of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 g were 22.55, 22.85, 23.04, 23.30, 23.33, 23.45, 23.53, 23.51, 23.74, and 24.33 seconds, respectively. In general, the lighter the bob weight, the less time it took my study pendulum to complete 40 swings. The findings are useful to the understanding of pendulum swing time.