Two-Dimensional Pendulum Experiments Using a Spark Generator

Authors

Rand Worland, University of Puget SoundFollow
Matthew J. Moelter, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2000

Publication Title

The Physics Teacher

Department

Physics

Abstract

Student understanding of the superposition of perpendicular harmonic oscillators can be enhanced using a spark generator to record position-versus-time data for small-amplitude pendulum motion in two dimensions. Our students have used this arrangement to analyze the motion of a spherical pendulum and a “Y-suspended” (Blackburn) pendulum that has two effective lengths.

ISSN

0031-921X

WorldCat Link

http://worldcat.org/oclc/201076699

Provider Link

http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1113&context=phy_fac&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fhl%3Den%26as_sdt%3D0%2C48%26q%3DTwo-Dimensional%2BPendulum%2BExperiments%2BUsing%2Ba%2BSpark%2BGenerator#search=%22Two-Dimensional%20Pendulum%20Experiments%20Using%20Spark%20Generator%22

Citation

Worland, R S, and M J. Moelter. "Two-dimensional Pendulum Experiments Using a Spark Generator." Physics Teacher. 38 (2000): 489-493. Print.