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Simple Pendulum Lab

1) The document describes an experiment to investigate how the length of string and initial angle of a simple pendulum affect its oscillation period. Measurements were taken at different lengths and angles. 2) A graph of length vs inverse period was plotted to derive the value of gravity. The average gravity value calculated was 9.4 N/kg. 3) It was found that increasing the length of the pendulum string increased its period, while the initial angle did not significantly affect the period.

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Martyn Pereira
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6K views7 pages

Simple Pendulum Lab

1) The document describes an experiment to investigate how the length of string and initial angle of a simple pendulum affect its oscillation period. Measurements were taken at different lengths and angles. 2) A graph of length vs inverse period was plotted to derive the value of gravity. The average gravity value calculated was 9.4 N/kg. 3) It was found that increasing the length of the pendulum string increased its period, while the initial angle did not significantly affect the period.

Uploaded by

Martyn Pereira
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Title: Simple Pendulum

Aims:

1. To investigate the effects of length of string and initial angle of displacement of a


simple pendulum.
2. To plot a graph of length vs inverse of time and from it derive the value of gravity.

Materials:

l Pendulum Bob
l Meter Rule
l Stopwatch
l Protractor

Diagrams
Method

1. A pendulum bob was hung from a point where it can swing freely.
2. The pendulum was then measured with a meter rule to the length of 0.4m.
3. It was then swung at an angle of 30 degrees for 10 oscillations.
4. The time taken for the 10 oscillations was measured and recorded.
5. Steps 1-4 were repeated at an angle of 60 degrees.
6. Steps 1-4 were repeated with lengths of 0.6, 0.8m.
7. A graph was plotted with the inverse of the average time taken for one period.
8. The value of gravity (g) was created.

Observation
It observed that length of the pendulum affected the time taken for oscillation movement and
the period.

Treatment of results

Trials Length(m) Angle(°) Time for 10


oscillations (s)

1 12.47s

2 13.02s
0.40m 30°
3 12.95s

Average 12.81s

1 13.60s

2 13.61s
0.40m 60°
3 13,70s
Average 13.64s

1 15.61s

2 15.71s
0.6m 30°
3 15.73s

Average 15.68s

1 18.07s

2 18.11s
0.8m 30°
3 18.14s

Average 18.11s
Table showing time taken for 10 oscillations at a variety of lengths and angles.

Length Angle Period Average Time Period


(squared)

0.4m 30 1.281s 12.81s 1.640961s

0.4m 60 1.364s 13.64s 1.860496s

0.6m 30 1.568s 15.68s 2.458624s

0.8m 30 1.811s 18.11s 3.279721s


Table showing results from experiment.

The formula for period is:

T =2 π √ ❑ .
❑
2 L
After making g the subject the new formula is: g=4 π
T2
Value of Gravity Period

L t
g=4 π 2 T=
T2 f

π 2 ∗ 0.40 12.81 s
g=4 T= =1.281 s
1.2812 10

g=9.6 NKg

L t
g=4 π 2 T=
T2 f

π 2 ∗ 0.40 13.64 s
g=4 T= =1.364s
1.3642 10

g=8.5 NKg

L t
g=4 π 2 T=
T2 f

π 2 ∗ 0.60 15.68 s
g=4 T= =1.568 s
10
1.5682

g=9.6 NKg
L t
g=4 π 2 T=
T2 f

π 2 ∗ 0.80 18.11 s
g=4 T= =1.811s
1.811 2 10

g=9.7 NKg

The average value for gravity in the experiment is

=(9.6 + 8.5 + 9.6 + 9.7)/4

=9.4NKg
Discussion:

In the experiment, it was seen that the length of the string affected the period because as the
length increased, it caused the oscillation movement to take longer in terms of time, which
influences the value of the period, while the angle of the pendulum, did not affect the period of
because at a larger angle the oscillation movement would increase, compared to movement
at a smaller angle, mainly because as the pendulum moves downward, it gains a specific
amount of kinetic energy which propels the speed of the oscillation movement at a rate which
would have no significant changes in the time taken for oscillation movement. If different
masses were used there would not be in distinct comparisons to be made in results mainly
because gravity’s constant value is 9.8NKg, and even though the mass may have changed it
wouldn’t make much of a difference unless the trait of weight was investigated because no
matter what, gravity’s value remains the same and the pendulum movement would not be
affected. At sea level gravity would normally remain the same but the only difference is it has
a reliability of acceleration.The falling of a body under the influence of gravity is known as free
fall, and it can relate to the pendulum seeing that at a specific point in this it rises but also
engages in the activity of falling which references gravity which retains bodies to the earth’s
surface by pulling them downwards, which is why in certain experiments, the theory of free fall
associated with a simple pendulum help derive the value of gravity.
Sources of error

● The measurement of the pendulum could have been slightly inaccurate.

● The time for ten oscillations was inaccurate due to the time taken to start and stop the
watch. (human reaction time)

Precautions

● Attempts for a proper fix on top support were made.

● All windows were closed and fans were turned off to ensure that the force of the wind did
not affect the movement of the pendulum.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the period of the pendulum was affected by both length, gravity and
time, whereas mass and angle, on the other hand, did not affect its oscillation
movement.Thus confirming that the aim has been met.

Reference
 Farley, A. (2014). Galileo Galilei and the Simple Pendulum. In 1073657505 816587700
C. Trotz (Author), Physics for CSEC Examinations (3rd ed., pp. 52-62). London:
Macmillan.

 Russell, D. A. (2018, June 18). Acoustics and Vibration Animations. Retrieved


November 22, 2020, from
https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/Pendulum/Pendulum.html

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