International Baccalaureate Physics 4/PSOW

Torsional Pendulum Design Lab

Aim: IB Criteria Assessed
The time period of a pendulum was first investigated by Design,
Christian Huygens in the 17th Century (after apparently Data Collection and Processing,
observing a swinging chandelier in church). From Huygen's Conclusion and Evaluation
work the first accurate clocks were invented and refined Criteria Aspect Level
assessed 1 2 3 awarded
You may be very familiar with traditional swinging pendulums D
and the variables that do and do not affect their time periods. In
this design lab, you will learn about the workings of a torsional DCP
(twisting) pendulum. CE

Diagram: Apparatus:

• A torsional pendulum made from a 30cm acrylic

ruler and elastic band (shown opposite)

• Anything else you might find in a normal physics

classroom.

Design:
Design a procedure to test how a certain variable (of your choice) may affect the rate of an oscillating
torsional pendulum that includes appropriate use of apparatus for the control, collection and analysis
of data. As always, this should design lab should include:

• Defining the Problem and selecting variables:

• Controlling the Variables:
• Developing a method for collecting data:

Step by step instructions and diagrams are helpful to the reader and highly recommended.

Also include a quantitative hypothesis for your investigation together with a sketch graph of what you
think will happen.

Note: It is important to realize that the period of such a pendulum is NOT the time of one revolution,
but instead the time taken for a stationary twisted pendulum to spin in one direction, stop briefly, and
then wind itself back up. This completes one cycle.

Data Collection and Presentation:

• Record the raw data (both quantitative and qualitative) for the experiment in a suitable form.
Include uncertainties due to the precision of the measuring apparatus.
• Process your quantitative raw data.
• Present the processed data in a appropriate way and include errors and uncertainties

Conclusion and Evaluation:

• Draw conclusions based on your interpretation of the data. Include a comparison of your results
with any published data regarding torsional pendulums. Compare your results with your original
hypothesis.
• Evaluate your own plan, including any weaknesses and/or limitations. Include an evaluation of the
apparatus used.

© Dingrando - ISM 2009 15614017.doc

International Baccalaureate Physics 4/PSOW

• In light of the weaknesses and limitations suggested above, suggest ways in which the procedure
could be modified in order to improve it for the future.

The above information was given to the student by the instructor. What follows immediately
below is the student’s own work.

© Dingrando - ISM 2009 15614017.doc