User guide

Elwe Didactic GmbH Steinfelsstr. 6 08248 Klingenthal Germany www.elwedidactic.com
3B Scientific GmbH Rudorffweg 8 21031 Hamburg Germany www.3bscientific.com
Subject to technical amendments
© Copyright 2009 3B Scientific GmbH
The effective gravitational field influencing the
periodic motion is reduced according to the
inclination of the plane of the pendulum relative
to the vertical. The axis of rotation lies along the
pointer, the inclination of which can be varied
between 0° und 90°.
The mass of the pendulum rod is small compared
to that of the pendulum bob (the discs), and
therefore the arrangement approximates closely to
an ideal mathematical pendulum, so that it is
described by the relationship:
α
π=
cosg
l
T 2
.
The length l of the pendulum can be assumed to be
the distance between the pendulum sleeve and the
lower surface of the pendulum bob.
The bob can be moved along the pendulum rod
and secured by means of a screw.
The pointer is provided with a hole into which it is
possible to screw a mounting rod (U8403955) for a
photo gate.
3. Equipment supplied
1 Pendulum rod
1 Disc with scale
1 Pointer
1 Pendulum bob
4. Technical data
Pendulum bob: 300 g
Length of pendulum rod: 350 mm
Scale markings: 0° … 90°
5. Operation
In order to carry out the experiments, the following
equipment is also required:
1 Stand base, A-shaped U8611150
1 Stainless steel rod U8611330
1 Mechanical stopwatch U40801
or
1 Photo gate U11365
1 Mounting rod for light barrier U8403955
1 Digital counter (230 V, 50/60 Hz) U8433341-230
or
1 Digital counter (115 V, 50/60 Hz) U8433341-115
Set up the instrument on a level surface using
the large stand base and rod, positioning it as
low as possible so that there is no risk of
tipping over.
Adjust the base so that the rod is exactly
vertical.
Set the angle of inclination α, by loosening the
knurled screw (6), moving the pendulum rod
and pointer to the required angle on the scale,
and re-tightening the screw.
To measure the frequency or period of the
pendulum, a photo gate (U11365) can be attached
using the mounting rod (U8403955) as shown in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 Variable-g pendulum with mounting rod and
photo gate