Week 4 Blog Post

 Olivia Langosch

In lab, we looked at the question, What affects how long it takes a swing to to go back and forth? In our small groups, we tested the weight of different things, and timed the item from when we let go to swing it, and when it came back to that side, measuring back and forth. After testing a few items, all different weights, the smallest object was a paper clip, which was 1.2 grams, we timed it to be 1.53 seconds for it to go back and forth. The heaviest item we had was a rock, which we weighed it to be 311.7 grams and we timed it to be 1.68 seconds. With all of the objects we measured, we found out that weights has no affect on how long it takes a swing to go back and forth. 

In lecture, I learned more about gravity in general. I also learned about the other variables that people tested in lab. I found it interesting that the longer the rope/chain is the longer the period. I also found it interesting when we talked about how the collisions with air particles transfer energy from the rider to the surrounding air. That's how the energy is transferred, and that is something I never really thought about, but found it interesting. 

From the reading, I learned about the pendulums and how there is potential energy at both highest points of it, and the kinetic energy is straight at the bottom. I think this will be helpful in the future to describe to my students, and for the exams. Once again, it's something I never really thought about, but good to know how to describe this to other people, like why that is. Also, Newton's first law, and how object that stay in motion will stay in motion, and same with at rest until something is acted upon it. I do not have any questions, but I think I would just like to practice more on the friction things. Having those examples and practicing in class help me understand more, but I feel like I just need a little more practice on it.