This document provides guidance for designing an experiment to investigate how different factors affect the swing time of a pendulum. The experiment aims to determine the optimal swing height for playground swings by studying how mass, angle, and string length impact the pendulum's period. Students are instructed to test 5 variations of each variable over 3 trials, record their data in a table, and analyze their results to make recommendations.

1. Playground
Physics
In playground design (swings),
what would be the perfect
swing height for an optimum
swing time?

2. The Experiment Design
Writing the Design Plan

3. Your task:
 To investigate the swing of a
pendulum as a model for the project.
Decide on your variables in this lab
and what factors will change the
swing rate.
 Write a report and present your
research and findings explaining the
steps you took, the findings and
your final recommendations.

4. Length of
String
angle
2.8 s
Time period
Bob/
weight
period is the time for the bob to return to the point of release

6. PLANNING AND DESIGN
Client Specifications:
1. Recommendation requires thorough study of all 3 Fun
variables to determine ultimate swing height for a prefect in the
swing time.
2. For each variable (mass, angle, length), 5 variations are
needed. e.g. 5 masses, 5 lengths, 5 angles.
3. A minimum of 3 trials is set for each variable. Each trial
Creativity, Teamwork, Collaboration
reflects the average time period for 10 full swings (T/10).
Schedule and Tasks:
1. First half: 2. Second half
[ ] Complete hypothesis for [ ] Set-up pendulum
the 3 variables [ ] Finalize procedure; includes
[ ] Write outline of procedure diagram of apparatus
[ ] Draw blank data tables for
recording results

7. Writing the Aim:
Task: Investigate the effect of mass, angle, length
on the time period of a pendulum.
Change into a question:
How does (independent variable/s)__________________
affect the (dependent variable) __________________ ?

8. Writing the Hypotheses
Which variable has an effect on the rate of
swing? Which does not? Why?

10. Changing and
Controlling Variables:

11. Changing Variables:
2. For each variable (mass, angle, length), 5 variations are
needed. e.g. 5 masses, 5 lengths, 5 angles.
3. A minimum of 3 trials is set for each variable. Each trial
reflects the average time period for 10 full swings
(T/10).
Rate of swing: 10 swings

12. Organizing Data
Creating the Data Table

13. Appropriate title: includes I and D variables
Table showing effect of Distance on Force
Distance Force of Car F/N
Work
D/m Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average W= F x D
Independent
variable with 0.5 (A) Dependent
correct variable with
symbol and Reflect 3 trials correct
units 0.6 and average symbol and
units
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0 (B)

14. This section introduces the topic of the
Background project, notes any information already
available, explains why you are interested
in the project, and states the purpose of
the project.
•Why was this study
performed?
•What knowledge
already exists about
this subject?
•What is the specific
purpose of the study?