Perfect Pendulum

Can you make a pendulum that swings back and forth in exactly 5 seconds?

WHAT YOU NEED:

• string
• scissors
• cup or small bucket with a handle
• sand, for weight
• something tall and sturdy from which to hang your pendulum
• stop watch to check time
  

INSTRUCTIONS:

To make your pendulum, tie a piece of string to the handle of a small bucket. If you have decided to use a paper cup, make a handle by poking two holes opposite each other close to the lip of the cup. Push a piece of string through the two holes and tie a knot at each end.

Now, tie a longer piece of string to the handle of the pail or cup.

Next, tie the other end of the long string to something tall like a branch. Be careful to check that you have enough room to really swing your pendulum back and forth, without the danger of hitting anything... or anyone!

Fill your bucket or cup with some sand.

Now you're ready to experiemnt.

Here’s the tricky bit… the part where a magic spell might help!
See if you can get it to swing back and forth in five seconds.

No? What can you do to perfect this?

What will you need to change?
The weight?
The length of the string?

Try setting it for a different time period… 10 seconds… 2 seconds.

Record and diagram all of your discoveries.