Which has greater potential energy, the sugar, or the bottle containing the sugar?
The bottle containing the sugar has greater potential energy because PE=mgh, and the bottle containing the sugar has a greater mass than just the sugar.
100
When is the velocity of the sugar greatest?
The velocity of the sugar is greatest right before it hits the table.
100
When is the pendulum at it’s highest amplitude?
When it is initially dropped.
100
What are the forces acting on the pendulum? Name two or more for BONUS!
Gravity and Tension
100
When is the velocity of the pendulum greatest?
At the bottom of the swing.
200
When is the pendulum’s potential energy greatest?
The pendulum’s potential energy is greatest at it’s initial drop.
200
The further the pendulum moves from equilibrium position, the _____________ it moves.
Slower
200
How would increasing the amplitude of the initial swing affect the potential energy of the pendulum?
The higher the initial amplitude, the greater the potential energy.
200
How would the pendulum be affected if we used one string versus three strings?
One string makes the pendulum go in a straight line, three strings gives the pendulum an elliptical motion.
200
How could you increase the amount of time that it takes for the pendulum to make a full swing?
Increase the length of the pendulum.
300
When is the pendulum’s kinetic energy greatest?
The kinetic energy is greatest at the lowest point of the pendulum’s swing.
300
When is the velocity of the pendulum the slowest?
The velocity of the pendulum is slowest when it swings back up.
300
What is the relationship between period and amplitude in this pendulum?
TRICK QUESTION! Period is independent of amplitude.
300
Why are we using sugar in this experiment?
To demonstrate the elliptical path of the pendulum.
300
Would the period length change if we cut the string in half? Why?
Yes, the period length would be shorter because it would take less time for the pendulum to make one full cycle.
400
What happens to the potential energy of the pendulum as it swings back and forth?
The potential energy decreases.
400
What is the acceleration of the sugar as it falls from the pendulum?
9.8 m/s/s
400
What is the relationship between period and frequency?
Period is the reciprocal of frequency, so as frequency increases period (1/f) decreases.
400
What is (where is) the pendulum’s equilibrium position?
The pendulum is in equilibrium position the mass (the bottle) is hanging directly downward.
400
Which has a greater velocity, the pendulum right after you drop it, or the sugar right before it hits the table?
The sugar right before it hits the table.
500
Does the motion of the pendulum affect the potential energy of the sugar?
Yes, the higher the amplitude of the pendulum, the greater the potential energy of the sugar.
500
Which has a greater velocity after 1.5 seconds, the pendulum, or the sugar falling from the pendulum (assuming that after 1.5 seconds the sugar has not hit the table)?
The sugar falling from the pendulum.
500
What would happen to the frequency if we cut the string in half?
The frequency would become higher.
500
How is this pendulum related to inertia?
The pendulum keeps swinging in the same pattern as when it is first dropped, due to inertia.
500
Is the potential energy of the sugar ever zero while it is still in the pendulum?