Week 4

 

  1. The big question addressed in the lab, and a description of what you did.

Our big question in the lab was, what affects how long it takes a swing to go back and forth? Before answering this question in the lab we reviewed our last two questions. We reviewed the different definitions of speed, velocity, and acceleration. 

Speed: fast distance over time 

Velocity: How fast it goes in certain direction 

Acceleration: How quickly you speed up

With these terms we were able to review what effect a sliders speed on a slide. We found that clothing/surface does affect the speed when going down a slide. The material sometimes causes friction which can cause a rider to slow down. We also reviewed that weight did not have an effect on rider speed. 

Moving onto this week, we discussed what would change the speed of a swing. My group decided to see how the length of the swing chain affects how long it takes to swing back and forth. We found that the shorter the swing chain the faster you go. We tasted four lengths of chain and throughout the whole test the shorter chain did swing faster. 

  1. A description of what you learned in Thursday's lecture. 

In lecture we reviewed what affects how long it takes a swing to go back and forth. We learned that the rider's weight does not affect the period of the swing. This is because gravity pulls on heavier things with more force. We did find that the length of the swing chains does affect the period of time the swing goes back and forth. This is because if there is a longer chain there is more gravitational energy which means it goes slower. If the string is shorter there is more kinetic energy at the bottom of the swing. During the swing, gravitational energy is converted to kinetic energy and back again. We also talked about why swings slow down or stop using the energy lens. The pendulum collides with air particles, speeding them up and slowing down the pendulum. These collisions transfer energy from the pendulum to the air. 


  1. Answer questions about the weekly textbook reading:

  1. What did you learn?

In this week's textbook reading we learned all about pendulums and the energy lens on motion. I feel like the most interesting thing that I learned was how potential energy and kinetic energy worked in a pendulum. 

Kinetic energy: The energy of an object due to motion 

Potential energy: The energy held by an object that gives it capacity to do work. 

I found it very interesting that at the beginning of the pendulum there was potential energy and then as it started swinging it changed into kinetic energy and then back to potential at the end. I also learned that if the pendulum string is shorter it goes faster and if it's longer it goes slower. 

  1. What was most helpful?

I found this chapter a lot easier to understand then most because everything we talked about related back to the pendulum. I know what that is and can picture it in my head which makes it so much easier to understand. 

  1. What do you need more information on?

I would like to know more about why weight does not have an effect on how fast/slow the pendulum swings. I feel like it would and I would love to learn more. 

  1. What questions/concerns/comments do you have?

Why does weight not affect the pendulum speed?






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