The period of a pendulum as it swings back and forth is affected by a variety of factors. If initial amplitude is sufficiently small the only significant factors are the length of the pendulum and the acceleration due to gravity. Your task is to investigate the nature of the dependence of period on the length of the pendulum.

Using dimensional analysis hypothesise a relationship between period and length of the pendulum. Design an experiment that allows you to collect enough data to test your hypothesis. Plot a suitable graph so that the observed data can be quantitatively analysed and compared with your hypothesis. Finally make an evaluation of your results and your experimental procedure and comment on how successfully you were at predicting the behaviour of the pendulum.

Investigate the behaviour of the pendulum for a range of initial amplitudes – is the period constant? If not, then describe how period varies with amplitude.