Part B - Initial Data

Write a plan for your initial set of measurements and experiment design.

Measure the period for 3 variants of the independent variable (i.e., measure the
period at dierent angles e.g. 100 ,200 and 300).

e.g., in a set of 25 measurements, 5% of the most extreme measurements is equal to

1.25 measurements. Round this down to 1 measurement.

The relative uncertainty should be 0.1% i.e.,

u ( )
= 0.1%

Note that:

u ( ) =
M cycles N trials

Make a scatter plot of average period vs. angle, making sure to include
uncertainty bars, u[ave]. You should also calculate your relative uncertainties
u[ave] / ave to see if you achieved the 0.1% precision goal.

Write some conclusions from your scatter plot.

Consider improvements you could make to your data set e.g. adding additional
data points repeating measurements.

Part C - Improvements - 2 Rounds

From the improvements measured, carry out another experiment e.g. you may
add additional data points to the graph by filling in large gaps or investigating
more extreme values that those previously measured. (Note, you have to make 2
rounds of improvement, so only improve one aspect at a time).

Add the improved data to the scatter plot in another spreadsheet sheet.
Part D - Conclusions

Comment on the overall shape of your scatter plot.

Calculate and comment on a t-score to compare the periods at the lowest and
highest values of your independent variable (these should correspond to your
leftmost and rightmost data points on your scatter plot).

What conclusions can you draw about the eect of your independent variable
(e.g., angle) on the period of your pendulum? Did other groups draw the same
conclusions?

What about the other eect, being investigated by some of the other groups in
the lab? What did groups performing those investigations find?

Marking Scheme

A plan for your initial set of measurements and experiment design.

A plan for each set of improvements.

Reporting your final high quality measurements.

Analysis of your results: a calculation of relative uncertainty achieved, a scatter plot,

and t-score comparison of the periods which correspond to your lowest and highest
values of your independent variable.

A discussion of the finding of other groups investigating the same eect as you and
of other groups investigating the other eect.

Conclusions on the eect of your independent variable.