VARIABLESInvestigation

1

Lesson Essential Questions

Why is it important to control which variables stay the same and which change?

How does a changing variable affect the outcome of the number of swings?

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VariablesJournal Entry: Where

have you seen a swinger or pendulum action?

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VocabularyVariable: anything that you can change in an experiment that might affect the outcome.

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WD VocabularyPendulum: a mass hanging from a fixed point that is free to swing back and forth.

VocabularyData Table: Used to organize information gathered in an experiment.

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VocabularyAverage: Add numbers

together, then divide the numbers by how many there are.

Example: 2, 3, 42+3+4=9 9/3=33 is the average

Examples Grandfather clocks Swings Wrecking ball metronome

Other pendulums

Procedures 1. Measure Swinger to be sure it is the

right length (38 cm). 2. Set up data table 3. Pull swinger back so that it is inline

with the table.

38 cm

Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3

What do you think???

What was your groups average # of swings???

Why do you think the number of swings were so similar for each group? List ideas in your journal.

standard pendulum 0ne penny, 38 cm long, even with desk

Vocabulary

Hypothesis: An educated guessMass: How much of something there isControl: are like constants in that they

stay the same through out an experiment

Experiment: an investigation designed to find out how variables affect outcomes.

Controlled Experiment: An experiment in which one variable is changed and the outcome is compared to a standard.

Let’s Test it Out (Take 1)!

Each group gets a different bob (weight) a. Repeat first experiment.

b. Record your data and what conclusion you made based on experiment in your notebook.

Pennies and swing change, was there?

Let’s Test it Out (Take 2)!

1. Each group starts at a different height. a. Repeat first experiment. b. Record in your notebook your data,

and what conclusion you made based on experiment.

Guess What!!!

Mass and release positions do not affect the number of swings of a pendulum.

Length of the pendulum does affect the number of cycles/swings.

Let’s Test it Out (Take 3)!

1. Each group gets a different length of string. a. Repeat first experiment.

b. Record in your notebook your data, and what conclusion you made based on experiment.

Your chart is going to look different this time!!!

Here it is!

Conclusion (SAY WHAT???!!!)

The longer the pendulum, the slower and less swings

The shorter the pendulum the faster and more swings.

More Vocabulary

Graph: can be used to display results. It can be used to find patterns, predict, and locate experimental errors.

Very Important!

Title

Axis

Interval

Label

Spacing

Graph Time!!!

Go back and ANSWER YOUR ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS!!!!

Why is it important to control which variables stay the same and which change?

How does a changing variable affect the outcome of the number of swings?