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Software of the Month Club 1996 August
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Software of the Month Club 1996 August.iso
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pendulum
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prctice1.hlp
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1991-04-12
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This is a pendulum of fixed length placed on some planet where gravity is
different than on Earth. For now, all I want you to do is to measure the
period of oscillation T and the length L of this pendulum as accurately as
you can. If you do that well enough, the next assignment should be easy.
In the "EXPERIMENT" section you hopefully found that the period is
nearly independent from the amplitude of oscillation for small amplitudes.
So let's keep the amplitude small, say less than 20 degrees. If the
amplitude is initialy too large, let friction reduce it, and then turn off
the friction (with F7) so that the amplitude will stay constant. Time 10
or 20 oscillations using the "F9" computer timer or your own stop watch.
Don't forget to start counting oscillations from "zero" when you start the
timer. To find the period divide the total time by the number of
oscillations. Repeat the measurement several times, until you get
consistent results.
To measure the length L, use the scale at the left of the assignment screen.
This is of course a reduced scale; in reality 1 meter = 3.28 feet.
Accurately position the suspension point just to the right of the "0m" tick
mark and wait until the pendulum comes to rest. You can increase friction
with F8 to make it stop faster. Estimate the position of the center of the
pendulum bob (the end of the straight line) to a tenth of a division.
Press F2 when you are ready to enter your answers.