August 29, 2016: Finding a relationship between mass and period for an inertial pendulum

Finding a Relationship Between Mass and Period For an Inertial Pendulum

Anthony Betancourt

Lab Partner: Joshua Fofrich

Lab Performed: August 29, 2016

Objective: The purpose of this experiment is to measure the mass of an object by measuring the object's inertia.  Utilizing an inertial balance, a device used to measure inertial mass, we can compare an objects' resistances to changes in motion.  

Procedure:  

1. Secure inertial balance to table top with a C-clamp.  Place a small piece of making tape on the end of the inertial balance.  
2. Place photo gate on a lab stand close enough to the end of the inertial balance so as the masking tape can pass through the beam of the photo gate. 

(inertial balance setup)

     3.  Setup laptop with LabPro equipment and open logger pro application:

           a. File > open menu (choose experiments)> Probes and Sensors > Photogate >    Pendulum Timer.cmbl.  Open this file. 

               b. make sure photo gate is plugged into the DIG 1 Input on LabPro.  

     4.  Make sure the computer starts measuring by pulling back the inertial balance and releasing as you hit collect.  

               5.  Record the period of the tray with no added mass. 

               6.  Measure added masses starting from  100g and increasing by increments of 100g until           800g is achieved.
   Theory:

• In order to establish a relation between mass and period, measurements must be made so an equation can be tested for the system.  

Calculation showing relationship between mass and period

Calculated values: range of mass of Mtray

Analysis:  Graph shows the linear trend line of the data.  the slope of the line is the correlation coefficient, proving that the mass of the tray is within the range for the correct mass of the weighted pendulum.

Conclusion: