Physics Factsheet

April 2003

Number 54

The Simple Pendulum

This Factsheet follows on from Factsheet 20 (Simple Harmonic Motion)
and Factsheet 53 (Mechanical Oscillations).

Radians
Radians are an another way of measuring angles.
180

radians = degrees
degrees = radians
180

Approximations: If is a small angle, measured in radians, then:

sin cos 1
tan

The simple pendulum is an example of a system that oscillates with

simple harmonic motion(SHM). It consists of a small mass (a bob)
attached to a thin thread and allowed to oscillate. The centre of
oscillation is the position of the bob when the thread is vertical.

Arcs: The length of an arc of a circle is given by r, where r is the

radius of the circle and the angle subtended by the arc.

There are two possible ways of measuring the displacement of the mass
m from the centre of oscillation: x (distance) or (angle) as shown
below. must be measured in radians (see box right). and x are
x
related by: =
!

l
m

mg sin

Fig 1a

Fig 1b

mg cos

Along the thread, no motion takes place, so we have

T = mgcos
At right-angles to the thread, in the direction of increasing , we have:
Resultant force = -mgsin
The angle is small and measured in radians, so sin .

!
g
The units of the left hand side must be equivalent to those on the right.
Writing m for metres and s for seconds, the units for acceleration are ms-2.
m
!
So the units of 2
are
= s2 = s
g
m
2
s
The unit for T is s, so the equation is consistent in terms of units.
Worked Example: A long case (grandfather) clock has a pendulum.
To a good approximation, we may consider it to be a simple
pendulum. The bob may be moved up or down by means of an
adjusting nut.
(a) If the clock runs too fast, which way should the bob be moved, up
or down? Explain your answer.
(b) The clock beats seconds. That is, each half swing, a tick or a
tock, is one second. Find the length of the simple pendulum
required if the acceleration due to gravity is 9.80 ms-2.

= mgsin
= mg (using the above approximation)
x
= mg
!
We now have the requirement for SHM i.e. the restoring force is
proportional to the displacement x

So resultant force

To complete the proof, we use Newtons second law (F = ma) in the

direction of x increasing:

(a) If the clock is running too fast (gaining), then the pendulum is
oscillating too quickly - its period (T) is too small. So T must be
!
increased and since T = 2
we must increase the length l g
the bob should be moved down
(b)Each half swing is one second full oscillation takes 2 seconds
!
!
1
2 = 2
so =
9.80

9.80
9.80
! = 2 = 0.993m

F = ma
x
mg = ma
!
g
a = x This is of the form a = -2x, - the standard equation for SHM.
!
g
, and so =
!

g
2
!
,T=
= 2
!
g
g
!
The most striking aspect of this equation is that the time period is
independent of the bobs mass m. Changing the mass will not change
the period. The only way to alter the period of a simple pendulum is to
alter its length l.
Another point worth noting is the units in the equation T = 2

mg

Fig 1b shows how to analyse the forces acting on the bob.

The two forces involved are the weight mg (acting vertically) and the
tension T acting along the thread.
We resolve the forces along and perpendicular to the thread.

So we have 2 =

Period of a pendulum
2
and =
Since T =

g
!

Physics Factsheet

The Simple Pendulum

Typical exam question
The diagram shows a simple pendulum with a length of 0.90m.
The pendulum bob is drawn aside as shown through a distance X.

Using a pendulum to find the acceleration of gravity

The acceleration of gravity can be found with a simple pendulum. We
know that the period is given by T = 2

!
.
g

So, by measuring T and ! we should be able to figure out a value for g.

Squaring the above equation gives T 2 = 4 2
l = 0.9m

In this equation, T and ! are the variables whilst and g are constants.
4 2
Re-writing the equation with the constants in a bracket: T 2 =
! .
g
This is the same form as the equation of a straight line. So, a graph of T2
4 2
against ! will be a straight line with gradient
g

X
(a) If the distance X is 10 cm, calculate, for the bob,
(i) the periodic time
(ii) the initial acceleration of the bob
(iii) the subsequent maximum speed of the bob.

Table 1 shows in the first two columns the length and period of a simple
pendulum. You would be expected to figure out the third column and
complete it.

(b) A second mass is now held on the vertical passing through the
pendulums point of suspension. Where must this second mass
be placed so that when both masses are released simultaneously,
they will collide with each other?
(c) If the distance X is increased to 15cm, will the two masses again
collide? Explain your answer. You may take the acceleration of
gravity to be 9.8 ms-2.
Answer
(a) (i) T = 2

!
.
g

0.9
!
= 2
= 1.9s
g
9.8

!/m

T/s

T2/s2

0.4
1.0
1.6
2.0

1.27
2.00
2.55
2.82

1.61
4.00
6.50
7.95

The graph has been drawn for you and a suitable point (1.8, 7.2)
identified for gradient calculation.

2 2
=
= 3.3s-1.
T 1.9
(ii) for SHM a = - 2x. Released when x = 0.1m.
initial acceleration = (3.3)2 0.1 = 1.1 ms-2 (2s.f.)
Now use this to find . =

T2/s2

8.0

(iii) Vmax = A = 0.1 3.3 = 0.33ms-1

T
1.9
(b) Time for bob to reach vertical is seconds =
= 0.475 s.
4
4
During this time, second mass falls vertically under gravity.
Use
s = ut + g t2
s = 0 + 9.8 (0.475)2 = 1.1 m

6.0

4.0

(c) The second mass must be placed 1.1 m above lowest position of bob
ie 0.2 m above point of suspension. If the distance X is increased to
15 cm, the period of the pendulum will not change. It will still take
0.475 s to cover the increased distance. Hence the masses will still
collide.

2.0

0
Exam Hint:
1 Most SHM questions require a value for . A common way of
supplying is through the periodic time T. Remember from your
SHM work that is radians per second, 2 is radians and T is
seconds so it is easy to quote:
2
=
T
2 This question supplies numerical values to two significant figures.
This means that final answers should be to two significant figures;
however, it always a good idea to work to more than this until
stating the final answer. In this case, as an intermediate step, we
find a quarter period to 3 sig fig ( 0.475 s). Writing 0.48 may give
an inaccurate answer in later parts of the question.

(1.8 , 7.2)

1.0

2.0

l /m

From the graph, the units for the gradient are s2/m. This is the upside
down of acceleration units.
4 2
This is correct because the gradient is
.
g
To find g we solve the equation:

7.2 4 2
1.8
=
g = 4 2
= 9.87ms -2
1.8
g
7.2

Physics Factsheet

The Simple Pendulum

Exam Workshop
This is a typical weak students answer to an exam question. The comments explain what is wrong with the answers and how they can be
improved. The examiners answer is given below.
(v) As the bob continues to oscillate, find the maximum kinetic
energy of the bob and the position where this occurs.
[3]
The maximum kinetic energy = mu2 !
!
= 0.1 0.0352 ecf
= 0.000061 J ^
2/3

The diagram shows a simple pendulum. The length of the pendulum,

l is 80cm and the mass of the bob is 100 grams.

Again one mark for carrying an error forward, one for k.e. but
omitted position

l
x

(vi) Hence find the maximum change in potential energy and deduce
the vertical displacement h through which the bob moves.
[3]
0/3
Potential energy mgh ^ ^ ^

h
In this question, take the acceleration of free fall to be g = 9.8 ms-2
For the pendulum, calculate:
(i) the periodic time T
[2]
!
T = 2
!
g
80
"
9.8
T = 2 2.86
T = 18 s

The candidate cannot get started. Not even one mark for p.e.; the
change has not been equated to change of k.e

(vii)The bob is now drawn aside horizontally through a distance X = 15 cm

and released from rest. Without further calculation, state and
explain what will happen to the periodic time T and the
maximum amounts of kinetic and potential energies.
[4]
The period increases " ^
1/4
The maximum energies increase !^

T = 2

1/2

The candidate has the correct formula but not changed

centimetres into metres
(ii) the angular velocity
angle turned 2
=
=
!
time taken
T
2
=
= 0.35 rad s-1 ecf
18

First part wrong, & no explanation. Second correct but lacks

explanation.

[2]

Examiners Answers
80 !
!!
(i) T = 2
= T = 2
= 1.8 s ( s.f.)
g
9.8

2/2

!
!
g
9.8
= 3.5 s-1
=
l
0.8
(iii) Amplitude = 10 cm = 0.10 m !

The candidate has used the correct formula and brought down an
error; no penalty here. ecf=error carried forward.

(ii) =

!
!
!
(iv) Vmax = A x = 0.1 3.5 = 0.35 ms-1

The bob is now drawn aside horizontally through a distance X = 10cm

and released from rest. For the subsequent motion of the bob, find
(iii) the amplitude
[1]
The amplitude = 10 cm = 0.1 m !
1/1

! 2
!
m ! 0.1
-3
(v) kemax = u 2 =
(0.35) = 6.1 10 J (at lowest point)
2
2
!
!
!
(vi) (k.e)2 = (p.e) 6.1 10-3J = mgh h = 6.3 mm (2s.f)
!
The period is independent of amplitude (determined only by l and g)
and remains constant.The maximum k.e. and p.e. both increase.
!

Correct, the candidate has changed units,

(iv) the maximum velocity of the bob

max velocity = A !
= 0.1 0.35 ecf
= 0.035 ms-1 !

[3]

3/3

Full marks here, again an allowance for carrying an error

forward.

Physics Factsheet

The Simple Pendulum

Questions
1. Write down the equation for the period of a simple pendulum.

Answers

2. Write down the equation for (a) the frequency and (b) the angular
frequency () in terms of the acceleration of gravity and the length
of the pendulum.

1. T = 2

!
g

2. (a) f =

1
2

g
!

g
!
3. Choose the centre of the oscillation and place a fiducial mark, such
as a pin held in a cork, at that place. Pull the pendulum aside and
count down from 3 to zero each time the bob passes the fiducial
mark, moving in the same direction. As the bob passes this mark on
zero start the timer and time 20 oscillations. Repeat this
procedure and average your value. Divide the mean time for 20
oscillations by 20 to get a value for the period.
(b) (= 2f ) =

3. Explain how you would accurately measure the period of a simple

pendulum.
4. In an experiment to measure the acceleration of free fall using a
simple pendulum
(a) explain what measurements you would take;
(b) state what quantities you would plot along the y and x axes of
the graph that you would plot;
(c) explain how you would use your graph to calculate the
acceleration of free fall.

4. See text.
5. (a) A simple pendulum has a frequency of 1.5 Hz. Calculate
(i) its periodic time
(ii) the length of the pendulum (take g = 9.8 ms-2).

5) (a) (i) 0.67 s

(ii) 11.0 cm
(b) (i) 100 mm
(ii) 50 mm

(b) The motion of the pendulum is recorded by a moving strip as

shown.

(c)

displacement /mm

speed u ms-1
The strip moves uniformly with a speed u of 150 mm s-1.By
considering the number of oscillations in 1 second,
(i) Find the wavelength of the trace obtained.

10 mm
time/s

(ii) The pendulum is now replaced by one with a frequency of

3.0Hz. Find the new wavelength obtained.
0.67 s

(c) On the graph label and number the axes so as to give an accurate
description of the original pendulum, given that it has an
amplitude of 10mm.

maximum speed
in opposite directions

maximum acceleration
in opposite directions

(d) (i) 9.4 10-2 ms-1

(ii) 0.89 ms-2

Acknowledgements: This Physics Factsheet was researched and written by Keith Cooper.
The Curriculum Press,Unit 305B, The Big Peg,120 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6NF.
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ISSN 1351-5136

(d) Calculate:
(i) the maximum speed of the pendulum bob and mark two
points where these speeds are in opposite directions.
(ii) the maximum acceleration of the bob and mark two points
where these accelerations are in opposite directions.