Table of Contents
- 1 Why does string length affect the period of a pendulum?
- 2 What kind of energy the pendulum has when the washer is at the top of swinging?
- 3 What happens when a moving pendulum stops?
- 4 When the pendulum swings at which point is potential energy at its greatest?
- 5 How do you make a string with 14 washers?
- 6 What happens if you wash your clothes in a washing machine?
Why does string length affect the period of a pendulum?
Students might wonder why the length of the string is the only thing that affects a pendulum’s period. A pendulum with a longer string has a lower frequency, meaning it swings back and forth less times in a given amount of time than a pendulum with a shorter string length.
What kind of energy the pendulum has when the washer is at the top of swinging?
As the washer moves up, kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy. At its highest point in the arc of the swing, once again the energy is all potential energy.
What do you think will happen to the period of a pendulum?
The longer the length of string, the farther the pendulum falls; and therefore, the longer the period, or back and forth swing of the pendulum. The greater the amplitude, or angle, the farther the pendulum falls; and therefore, the longer the period.)
What will happen to the period of a pendulum if the pendulum bob is replaced by a smaller one with half the mass?
The mass of a pendulum’s bob has no effect on its period, so this change is irrelevant. Multiplying the length of the string by two would multiply the period of the pendulum by the square root of two.
What happens when a moving pendulum stops?
When a moving pendulum stops, all it’s energy is converted or used to overcome the friction of the surrounding (mainly air resistance). …
When the pendulum swings at which point is potential energy at its greatest?
If kinetic energy is highest at the bottom of the pendulum, then that is where potential energy is the lowest. So potential energy would be highest when the pendulum is at its highest point on either side of its motion where it is stationary for an instant.
What happens when you let go of a string?
Potential energy describes the stored energy in a stationary object. As in this activity, when you are holding the string tied to the metal washers in your fingers, both ends of the string have potential energy. Once you let go of the single washer, that potential energy turns into kinetic energy since the washer is moving.
Why does my washer wrap itself around my finger?
The washer falls a long way and builds up speed, or increases its kinetic energy, as it falls. The kinetic energy of the single washer is great enough to cause the end of the string to wrap itself around your finger. Try doing the experiment with one key tied to one end of the string and a key ring of 14 keys tied to the other end of the string.
How do you make a string with 14 washers?
Basically, you are making a small loop of string with washers on it. Thread the other end of the string through the middle of the remaining washer and tie the string so that you have a string with 14 washers at one end and one washer at the other end.
What happens if you wash your clothes in a washing machine?
Just because your washing machine cleans your clothes effectively doesn’t mean it’s a self-cleaning machine. Some of the residual bacterial from your clothing can stick to the inside of your machine and a dirty washer can leave your clothes smelling anything but fresh.