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Physical Pendulum

Authors: Ms. Giselle dos Santos Castro - Federal University of Ceara - UFC
Dr. Nildo Loiola Dias - Federal University of Ceara - UFC

CONTROLS:

- Choose a pivot point from 0 to 8.
- Choose a location to set gravity acceleration (Earth, Moon or Mars).
- Choose the mass of the rod (physical pendulum) from 3 options.
- Press the OSCILLATE button to start the physical pendulum oscillation.
- Press the RESET button to stop the oscillation.
- Press the SHOW RULER button to get a ruler that can be moved to allow you to make the desired measurement.
- Press the ENLARGE RULER button to enlarge the ruler and the physical pendulum in order to facilitate the measurement with the ruler. Two buttons allow you to move (up or down) the physical pendulum and the ruler.
- A stopwatch allows you to measure the periods of oscillation of the physical pendulum.
- The buttons: START STOPWATCH, PAUSE and RESET STOPWATCH allow you to control the stopwatch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SIMULATION:

This simulation allows the study of the oscillation movement of a physical pendulum formed by a rod with 17 small holes arranged along a longitudinal centerline and symmetrical in relation to the hole in the center of the rod. The oscillation periods can be measured for the various pivot points (holes) using a timer from the simulation itself. It is also possible to study the oscillation movement as a function of gravity acceleration and the rod mass. The simulation represents a rod 100 cm long. A ruler allows you to measure the necessary distances.

For an analysis of the data, consult one of the proposed ACTIVITY GUIDE.

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