B96. Interrupted Swing

DYNAMICS - Conservation of Energy

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A pendulum swings from a support rod. A 2 meter stick is mounted horizontally to indicate the maximum height of the pendulum swing. Another rod is added to interrupt the swing of the pendulum. The pendulum is shown to reach the same height as before. The above set up can also be used as a variation on the “loop-the-loop” demonstration. The pendulum can be set swinging so that, when interrupted, its energy is just enough to make it 180° around the rod, and then fall.

List of Parts:
1. 5’ rod and table clamp; 2’ rod and table clamp
2. Ball and string (string goes through 1/4 - 20 bolt into ball)
3. Meter stick
4. Three right angle clamps
5. Two 6” 1/4” rods

Assembly:
1. Clamp large and small rods to table as shown
2. Clamp thin rods to long rod with right angle clamps
3. Wrap string around to rod and tie off at appropriate height
4. Clamp ruler to short rod as shown. Be sure it does not block swing of pendulum

Operation:
Adjust height of lower rod so that pendulum, when swung from horizontal position, just swings 180° around small rod.

Location: 4-309B, Shelf F5