Read the lab scenario below.

Pendulum Lab

  1. Cut a piece of string 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, and 50 cm.
  2. Tie a paperclip to one end of the 10 cm string.
  3. Tape a pencil to the end of the table.
  4. Tie the other end of the string to the pencil.
  5. Tape the string in place with a small piece of masking tape.
  6. Hang three metal washers on the paperclip.
  7. Raise the washers to be level with the edge of the table.
  8. Start the stopwatch and release the pendulum.
  9. Count the number of times the pendulum makes a complete trip (a period) in 10 seconds.
  10. Record your results in your data table.
  11. Repeat this experiment for four more trials.
  12. Remove the pendulum from the pencil. Disassemble the pendulum by removing the washers and paper clip.
  13. Repeat steps 2-10 with the remaining lengths of string.

Identify the independent variable.Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

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The length of stringClose Pop Up

How is the independent variable changing?

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It is increasing (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, and 50 cm).Close Pop Up

Identify the dependent variable.

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It is the number of times the pendulum makes a complete trip (a period) in 10 seconds.Close Pop Up

How do you think the dependent variable will change?

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This answer could vary - you make an inference. Close Pop Up

In your notes, write a hypothesis for this experiment.

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The hypothesis could be written as follows: As the length of string increases, then the number of periods the pendulum swings in 10 seconds will decrease. Close Pop Up