3A15.70 - Kater's Pendula

Be very careful not to damage the knife edges when handling. If you move the masses mark where they were as it is set to give the same period of swing from both ends.
Code Number:
3A15.70
Demo Title:
Kater's Pendula
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Potential to Kinetic Energy, Simple Harmonic Motion
Area of Study:
Acoustics
Procedure:

Be very careful not to damage the knife edges when handling. If you move the masses mark where they were as it is set to give the same period of swing from both ends. 

References:
  • Randall D. Peters, "Student-Friendly Precision Pendulum", TPT, Vol. 37, # 7, Oct. 1999, p. 390. 
  • Bill Crummett, "Measurements of Acceleration Due to Gravity", TPT, Vol. 28, # 5, May 1990, p. 291.
  • K. E. Jesse and H. J. Born, "Possible Source of Error When Using the Kater Pendulum", TPT, Vol. 10, # 8, Nov. 1972, p. 466.
  • D. Candela, K. M. Martini, R. V. Krotkov, K. H. Langley, "Bessel's Improved Kater Pendulum in the Teaching Lab", AJP, Vol. 69, # 6, June 2001, p. 714.
  • Kenneth E. Jesse, "Kater Pendulum Modification", AJP, Vol. 48, #9, Sept. 1980, p. 785.
  • George M. Hopkins, "Measurement of Time by the Pendulum", Experimental Science, p. 48.
  • R. W. Pohl, "(2)", Physical Principles of Mechanics and Acoustics, p. 108.
  • My - 2:  Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook For Physics.

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.