Question

A student is conducting an experiment using a ball that is attached to the end of a string on a pendulum. The student pulls the ball back so that it is at an angle to its resting position. As the student releases the ball, it swings forward and backward. The student measures the time it takes the ball to make on complete period. A period is defined as the time it takes the ball to swing forward and back again to its starting positions. That is repeated using different string lengths.

What would be an appropriate control variable for this experiment?

A. the period
B. the length of the string
C. the mass of the ball
D. the color of the ball

Answer 1

The appropriate control variable for this experiment is the period.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate control variable for this experiment would be option A. the period. In an experiment, the control variable is the variable that is kept constant or unchanged throughout the experiment. In this case, the period refers to the time it takes for the ball to swing forward and back to its starting position. By keeping the period constant while varying the string lengths, the student can observe the effect of the string lengths on the period.