How Galileo’s careful observation and experiment shaped physics, the steps of the scientific method, and an investigation of the factors that affect the period of a simple pendulum.
5 narrated scenes. Press play, listen and read along — the points appear as they are explained. Use ‹ Prev / Next › or the scene bar to jump to any scene.
Galileo is said to have timed a swinging lamp against his own pulse. From that kind of patient measurement, modern physics began.
Narration uses your device’s built-in voice. No sound? Switch to “Captions only” — the captions advance on their own.
Change the length and the starting angle. Watch the period and the swap between potential and kinetic energy.
Copy these into your notebook in your own words — that is how they stick.
Observe → hypothesis → experiment (one variable changed, others controlled) → analyse → conclude → share.
Used observation, measurement and experiment (inclined plane, telescope) rather than authority alone.
T = time for ONE complete oscillation = total time ÷ number of oscillations.
Length changes T; mass and (small) amplitude do not.
T against L is a curve. T² against L is a straight line through the origin.
T² = (4π²/g)L so gradient = 4π²/g and g = 4π²/gradient.
Manipulated (changed), responding (measured), controlled (kept the same).
Repeat readings and take an average; time many oscillations.
3 quick games on this lesson. Earn XP and badges as you play — your best score for each game is saved. Games are for practice and do not change your exam readiness. More games in the Physics Arcade.
8 items modelled on real CSEC Paper 1 questions. Choose one answer for each, then check. Aim for 80% or better. Work each item on paper first.
Write full answers, then reveal the mark scheme and tick the points you earned (15 marks in total). Show all your working — method marks count. Your answers are saved on this device.
Question 1 [15 marks]
A student investigates the period T of a simple pendulum of length L by timing 20 oscillations for each length.
(a) (a) Define the period of a pendulum. [1]
(b) (b) Give two reasons why the student times 20 oscillations rather than one. [2]
(c) (c) For L = 0.60 m, 20 oscillations took 31.2 s. Calculate (i) the period T and (ii) T². [3]
(d) (d) State which graph should be plotted to give a straight line through the origin. [1]
(e) (e) The line passes through the origin and the point (1.00 m, 4.02 s²). Calculate the gradient and state its unit. [3]
(f) (f) Use the gradient to calculate the acceleration due to gravity g, given gradient = 4π²/g. [3]
(g) (g) State two precautions that improve the accuracy of the experiment. [2]
Find these in your own past-paper booklets for extra timed practice. Items above are written in the style of these papers; any adapted from a specific question say so.