Set up a pendulum timer

Use this timer to measure the period and speed of a pendulum as it passes through a photogate.

Equipment setup

• Photogate

  Use a Wireless Smart Gate (PS-3225), a Smart Gate (PS-2180) with a PASPORT interface, or a Photogate Head (ME-9498A) with a digital interface.

• Pendulum

  Use a cylinder with constant diameter, such as one from the Photogate Pendulum Set (ME-8752).

• Ring Stand with Pendulum Clamp (ME-9506)

  Set up the pendulum and photogate on a ring stand, as shown below.

Set up the timer

1. Connect your chosen photogate to Capstone.
2. Select Timer Setup from the Tools palette.
3. At the top of the Timer Setup tool, click the Delete button to delete the premade Smart Timer.
4. Select Pre-Configured Timer, then click Next.
5. Ensure that exactly one photogate is selected from the list of available timing devices, then click Next.
6. Select Pendulum Timer from the list of available timers.
7. Check the boxes for each of the measurements you want to be visible, then click Next.

8. Measure the diameter of the cylinder, as shown below. Enter this value into the Pendulum Width, then click Next.

   

9. Give the timer a custom name, or use the default name, and click Finish.

Record data

Click Record , then release the pendulum. The software will record the period after the pendulum passes through the photogate three times. The software records the speed each time the pendulum passes through the photogate.

Timing begins when the pendulum first passes through the photogate. The second pass is ignored, since it corresponds to the pendulum swinging back in the opposite direction. Timing stops at the third pass, which represents the pendulum completing one full oscillation.