phys (1105) - Space: motion detecting pendulum

we walked in, puzzled from our homework about the motion sensor prac thingo, to find that mr pitt had it all set up alerady.

the pendulum was hanging off a force detector, and in front of a motion detector.

so we timed the period using the motion detector, then calculated it using the formula to see if it was consistent.

then using the force results, there were 10 high force readings within 7.5 seconds. what happened was.. the kinetic energy is highest at the equilibrium point, coz thats when its at its fastest before it slows down while going upwards. and it hits that point twice peroscillation. so we end up with 1.5 as the period, consistent again.

then timing it again.. we all started getting 1.3, and the force said 12N suggesting that gravity in creased.. it took the class i while to realize mr pitt shoved a supermagnet under the desk to rig that last set of results -.-