Re: [Phys-L] pendulum

[Shahram Mostarshed <smostarshed@gmail.com>]

The idea here is to 'linearize' the graph, since it is easier to measure
the slope of a straight line, unless your question is about something else
(?)

Shahram Mostarshed
Physics Instructor, Stanford OHS

On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 3:02 AM Anthony Lapinski via Phys-l <
phys-l@mail.phys-l.org> wrote:

> 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?
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