Take a picture of one of the pendulums

2) Discuss any problems that was encountered while setting up or conducting the experiment.

3)List several controlled variables for this experiment. Think about what to do exactly the same in each experiment/trial to get reliable results?

4) How could you improve the experimental design to minimize sources of human error in the experiment?

5) Conduct a lab report for the pendulum experiment

Problem/Question: Does the number of times a pendulum swings depend on the weight attached or the length of the pendulum?

Hypothesis: Before beginning your experiment and without doing any research, Conduct a hypothesis for the question above. You have 4 possible hypotheses: 1) The weight attached affects the number of swings, 2) The length of the string affects the number of swings, 3) Both the weight and length affect the number of swings, or 4) Neither the length or the weight affect the number of swings. Choose one of these as your hypothesis. (Keep in mind that scientists often do not know the answer when conducting an experiment. The results of your experiment will help you determine if your hypothesis is valid or invalid.)

1. You may copy the Problem/Question stated above into the introduction of your lab report.
2. Do not change your original hypothesis after you conduct the experiment. Scientists often propose hypotheses that turn out to be incorrect. There is nothing wrong with that. The data they obtain still helps them figure out the answer to their questions. Finding out that something does not work or is not the answer can be as valuable as finding the correct answer. Your grade is not based on whether your hypothesis is accepted or rejected, but instead on how well you communicate information, analyze the data, and reach a conclusion based on that data.
3. You can reference this document (Scientific Investigation Lab Activity) for the material and procedure sections of your lab report rather than having to copy these into your report. Everyone is following the same procedure. The information that differs is contained in the data tables which will be part of your report.
4. The Data Tables can be copied and pasted into your lab report. Include the information below the tables, also.
5. In your Discussion/Analysis discuss the overall trends in the data. Relate the data to the question you are trying to answer. For example, does the length of string or the amount of weight on the pendulum appear to affect the number of swings or do the numbers stay about the same? Are observed differences minor and due to chance or do you think they are significant. (We are not doing statistical analyses, which would help you answer this question.) Also, include any problems you encountered that may have influenced your results. Do you have any reason to think the results you obtained are not valid? What errors may have occurred during data collection?
6. In your conclusion, refer back to your hypothesis and state whether you accept or reject that hypothesis. What evidence is this based on? Are there any changes you think should be made to the procedure to improve the experiment? Do not repeat your Discussion/Analysis section here.
7. Remember that you do not need to include background information or references in your report.
8. Please proofread your report several times before submitting it. Points will be deducted for improper punctuation, spelling, grammar, etc. Such errors can usually be eliminated by a careful proofreading of your report. A Grading Rubric is posted under Assessments/Rubrics in myLearning.