The document discusses how to determine the variables that affect the period of a pendulum. It explains that the length of the pendulum, measured from the point of suspension to the center of mass of the bob, affects its period. The variables that do affect the period of a pendulum are its length and mass. Students should analyze their data to determine if changes in these variables resulted in changes to the period and whether their results match the equation that describes the relationship between variables and period of a pendulum.