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[Phys-L] Re: measuring the period of a pendulum



I agree with Bob and John, but would add that in trying to time on the
equilibrium position, the parallax can be important and so the timer MUST
stand in the same place and view the pendulum exactly the same. I find this
much more difficult than using the slow moving end-points, with the proviso
that we always time at least ten complete periods for one start/stop of the
watch.

Rick

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Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana
rtarara@saintmarys.edu
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob LaMontagne" <rlamont@POSTOFFICE.PROVIDENCE.EDU>
To: <PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU>
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 11:37 AM
Subject: Re: measuring the period of a pendulum


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)?

Larry
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