Students are investigating the periodic motion of a physical pendulum to determine the acceleration due to gravity \(g\). They are provided with a uniform rigid rod of length \(L = 1.20 \text{ m}\) and mass \(M\). The rod has several small holes drilled along its length, allowing it to be pivoted about a frictionless axle. The distance from the center of mass of the rod to the pivot is \(x\). When displaced by a small angle \(\theta\) and released, the rod oscillates. The theoretical period of oscillation \(T\) is given by the equation: \[ T = 2\pi \sqrt{ \dfrac{\dfrac{1}{12}L^2 + x^2}{gx} } \] • Nerd Notes

AP Physics 1

5.6 Newton’s Second Law in Rotational Form

5.4 Rotational Inertia

1.3 Representing Motion

Multi-Unit

AdvancedFRQGraphicalMathematicalConceptualExperimental13.5k

Tools for a 5