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Periods of a Pendulum

41 viewsAdded 2026-06-29Updated 2026-07-02v6: This is the latest version.

Overview

Summary

Getting beyond human error, confronting expectations that experiments will confirm known principles.

Description

This two-session periods of a pendulum lab teaches students about methods to reduce uncertainty, ways of quantifying uncertainty, and comparing pairs of uncertain measurements. In session 1, students design ways to measure the period of a pendulum and evaluate ways to reduce uncertainty. In session 2, students use their most precise method from session 1 to measure the period of a pendulum released from two amplitudes (10 and 20 degrees), quantitatively compare the uncertain measurements, and design follow-up experiments that respond to their initial comparison.

Student Learning Objectives

  • Design an experiment with sufficiently high precision to test a model, finding efficient and effective ways to reduce uncertainty.
  • Identify and quantify sources of uncertainty in data.
  • Compare pairs of measurements based on their uncertainties and use those comparisons to make appropriate inferences.
  • Iterate on an experimental procedure to reduce *uncertainty*, test assumptions and claims, and extend the investigation to explore the phenomenon.

Lab Profile

Experimentation Goals

These experimentation goals are most strongly represented in the explicit learning goals described above:

Quantify UncertaintyCompare Uncertain MeasurementsUse CodeInterpret DataDesign ProceduresReduce UncertaintyRefine and Expand ProceduresKeep a Lab NotebookCollaborate

Student Decision Making

In this lab, students have the opportunity to:

Design ProceduresDecide PrecisionDecide When Done

Discovery

Determine results previously known to:

Instructors

Instructor Guide

Duration

2 sessions of 2 hours

Equipment Required

Basic Physics Lab EquipmentComputers / Software

Implementation Tips

The instructions are written in Google Colab with a utilities file that provides shortcuts to relevant functions. Students edit, but don't need to generate, code. The Instructor Resources include additional tips and tricks. 

How This Fits in Your Course

This activity is intentionally designed to be the first lab of the course. Students do not need any prerequisite knowledge, though familiarity with standard deviation is helpful.

Files & Links (8)

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📄

Copy of Lab 1.2 TA notes.pdf

Instructor Supplement416 KB

Instructor notes for Session 2

Download
📄

Lab 1.1 .pdf

Hands-on LabData Analysis LabComputation-based Lab466 KB

PDF of Session 1 Instructions for students in Google Colab

Download
📄

Lab 1.1 TA notes.pdf

Instructor Supplement150 KB

Instructor notes for Session 1

Download
📄

Lab 1.2 .pdf

Hands-on LabData Analysis LabComputation-based Lab276 KB

PDF of Session 2 Instructions for students in Google Colab

Download
📄

Period of Pendulum II.ipynb

Hands-on LabData Analysis LabComputation-based Lab14 KB

Session 2 Instructions for students in Google Colab

Download
📄

Period of Pendulum I.ipynb

Hands-on LabData Analysis LabComputation-based Lab15 KB

Session 1 Instructions for students in Google Colab

Download
📄

utilities.ipynb

8 KB
Download
📄

Intro to Experimental Physics 1110 Syllabus_F25.pdf

Instructor Supplement165 KB

Course syllabus

Download

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Authors

NH

Natasha Holmes

AM

Adrian Madsen

LB

Lauren Bauman

Physics Topics

Classical MechanicsWaves and Oscillations

Course Level

Introductory

Student Population

Physics MajorsEngineering Majors

License

CC BY-NC-SA

Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike. Others can share and adapt for non-commercial purposes, must attribute and share with the same license.

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