Pendulum with Styrofoam Bob, Large Photogate

Code Number: 3A50.44

Demo Title: Damped Pendulum

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Harmonic Damping

Area of Study: Oscillations & Acoustics

Equipment:

Pendulum with Styrofoam Bob, Large Photogate or Sonic Sensor.

Procedure:

Place a large Syrofoam ball as a pendulum bob on the desired length pendulum string. Use video analysis or a sonic sensor to plot the data.

References:

Richard Ignace, Gary D. Henson, "Impulse Magnetic Damping: Linear Damping of a Pendulum", TPT, Vol. 62, #7, Oct. 2024, p. 587.
Rod Cross, "A Simple Method to Estimate Q for a Damped Oscillation", TPT, Vol. 62, #5, May 2024, p. 406.
Unofre B. Pili, "Using a Styrofoam Sphere and Video Analysis to Demonstrate the Linearly Resisted Harmonic Oscillator", TPT, Vol. 62, #3, March 2024, p. 196.

3A50.44 - Damped Pendulum

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.