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Physics Lab Experiment: TITLE: Simple Pendulum

This physics lab experiment investigates the motion of a simple pendulum. Students will determine how the period of a pendulum is affected by changing the length of the pendulum and by changing the mass of the pendulum. The experiment involves measuring the time it takes for a pendulum to complete 10 swings for different lengths and masses and analyzing the results. Plots of period versus length and period versus mass will show that increasing the length or mass increases the period of a pendulum.

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Gabriel Figueroa
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91 views

Physics Lab Experiment: TITLE: Simple Pendulum

This physics lab experiment investigates the motion of a simple pendulum. Students will determine how the period of a pendulum is affected by changing the length of the pendulum and by changing the mass of the pendulum. The experiment involves measuring the time it takes for a pendulum to complete 10 swings for different lengths and masses and analyzing the results. Plots of period versus length and period versus mass will show that increasing the length or mass increases the period of a pendulum.

Uploaded by

Gabriel Figueroa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYSICS LAB EXPERIMENT

TITLE: Simple Pendulum.


TEACHER: Gabriel Figueroa. LEVEL: 12th
DATE:
I. INTRODUCTION

In a simple pendulum with no friction, mechanical energy is conserved.  Total, mechanical energy is a
combination of kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.   As the pendulum swings back and forth, there is
a constant exchange between kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.

 OBJECTIVE
 Demonstrates the motion of pendulums
 Determines which variables will affect the period of a pendulum.
 Comprehends the importance of testing one variable at a time to solve a problem.

II. MATERIALS

 Spring  C-clamp.
 Ring-stand clamps.  Meter stick.
 Set of known masses.  Protractor.
 1.2 m long cord  ruler or meter stick
 pendulum clamp.

III. PROCEDURE.

Part A: Dependence of Period on Length.

1) Set up the apparatus as shown in the following figure.


2) Attach a mass to one end of the cord.
3) Insert the other end of the cord into the pendulum clamp. Adjust the length of the cord so that the distance
between the point of attachment and the center of the mass in 1 m.
4) Repeat step 3 using pendulum lengths of 0.8 , 0.6 and 0.4 and 0.2 m while keeping the mass constant. Enter
the data in Data table 1.

Part B: Dependence of Periodo on Mass of Pendulum.

1) Attach a mass to one end of the cord.


2) Adjust the length of the cord so that the distance between the point of attachment and the center of the mass
is 1m.
3) Using the protractor, displace the mass 5° from the vertical. Release the mass and measure the time it takes
the pendulum to complete 10 swings. Enter this time in Data Table 1.
4) Repeat steps 1 to 3 using pendulum having different masses (kg). While keeping the length constant. Enter
the data in Data Table 2.
Data Table 1
Time for 10 swings (s)
Length of Pendulum (m) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
1      
0.8      
0.6      
0.4    
0.2      

Data Table 2
Time for 10 swings (s)
Mass of pendulum (kg) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
       
       
       
       
       

Analysis

1) Clculate the average time for 10 swings and the time for 1 swing (the period) for each trial in
Parts A and B and enter in table 3 and 4, respectively.
2) Using data from Table 3, plot the period of the pendulum versus the pendulum’s length.
3) Using data from Table 4, plot the period of the pendulum versus the pendulum’s mass.

Table 3
Period
Length of pendulum (m) Average time for 10 swings (s) (s)
     
     
     
     
     

Table 4
Mass of Pendulum (m) Average time for 10 swings (s) Period (s)
     
     
     
     
     
Questions:

1) Cite any assuptions made in performing this experiment regrding the properties of a simple
pendulum.
2) Describe the shape of the T vs L graph.
3) How do you think your results would change (if at all) if you performed this experimento on moon?

______________________
Teacher’s Signature

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