Quick Answer:The Pendulum of Varying Length Apparatus hangs 3 stainless steel bobs on cords of different lengths from a metal frame, so students can compare how pendulum length changes the time period in simple harmonic motion.
Last updated: 18 October 2026
Key Features
Three stainless steel balls used as bobs.
Cords of several lengths for side-by-side comparison.
Built-in mechanism for varying the effective length.
Metal support frame on a weighted base.
Ready to use as a standalone demonstration.
Technical Specifications
Specification
Value
Frame
Metal support frame
Bobs
3 stainless steel balls
Suspension
Cords of different lengths
Length adjustment
Built-in mechanism for varying effective length
Base
Weighted
Timing
Use with a stopwatch or photogate timer
How It Is Used
Set the bobs swinging and time their oscillations with a stopwatch or photogate timer. Changing the effective length with the built-in mechanism and timing again shows how the period depends on length, so students can check the result against the pendulum period formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bobs does the Pendulum of Varying Length Apparatus have?
Three stainless steel balls, hung on cords of different lengths for direct comparison.
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