I would think that the number of cycles timed is more important. The
percentage error would then be the timing error divided by (N cycles times
the period).
Bob at PC
-----Original Message-----
From: Forum for Physics Educators [mailto:PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On
Behalf Of Larry Smith
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 11:08 AM
To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
Subject: measuring the period of a pendulum
In an introductory physics laboratory, is it better for students, when
measuring the period of a simple pendulum, to start and stop the stopwatch
when the bob is at the lowest point (max. speed) or at an end point (speed
= 0)?