I might try a pendulum lab in my (high school) class when I teach about
waves. Will have them time the swings, change the length, and determine the
period. Why are most graphs online for this period squared vs length?
(slope = 4pi^2/g) Since length is the independent variable, it should go on
the y-axis - plot length vs period squared. Then the slope would be g/4pi^2
- in m/s^2). Is there some historical tradition here, or am I missing
something simple?