What Determines the Speed of a Simple Pendulum?

What is the investigator assessing when giving Sarah a weight hanging from a length of string and additional weights? The investigator is assessing Sarah's understanding of the relationship between the period of a simple pendulum and the factors of mass, length, and initial amplitude.

Factors Affecting the Speed of a Simple Pendulum

Mass: The mass of the weight hanging from the string affects the period of a simple pendulum. By adding more weights, the total mass increases, which can impact the speed at which the weight moves back and forth.

Length: The length of the string also plays a role in determining the period of a pendulum. Shortening the string can alter the period and affect the speed of the pendulum's movement.

Initial Amplitude: By pushing the weight harder, Sarah may increase the initial amplitude of the swing. This change can also influence the speed at which the weight moves back and forth.

Therefore, the investigator is testing Sarah's understanding of how these factors impact the speed of a simple pendulum through her manipulations of mass, length, and initial amplitude.

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