Lab Report Kater’s Reversible Pendulum

Celine Purnomo B09504073

Group Member: Florence Y. (B09602035)

Teaching Assistant: Gene Tseng

Experiment Date: 2021.11.25

Abstract

The objective of this experiment is to measure the gravitational acceleration in Taipei

by a Kater’s reversible pendulum (the accepted value of g accepted in Taipei is 978.7 cm.s-2). In
the first method, by measuring the center of gravity, value of g=974.13cm.s-2 can be directly
obtained by measuring periods P1=2.1513 s and P2=2.1363s; and lengths l1=71.5 cm and l2=28.8cm
which gave an error about 0.467% compared to the value of g accepted. In the second method, we
only need to measure the period P (=P1=P2) =20.150 s and the position of mass distribution D =40
cm accompanied by the graph. Moreover, we also used the estimated position of D obtained from
the second method to look for the point where P1=P2=20.150 s. The calculation showed that g =
975.24 cm.s-2 was obtained which gave an error of 0.354% compared to the value of g accepted.
The inconsistencies in angles used should contribute in causing error and uncertainty.
A. Introduction

I. Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to:

1. measure the gravitational acceleration (g) in Taipei city;

2. understand the principe and study about Kater’s Reversible Pendulum with two
methods of determination. First, by using the position of the center of mass where
the periods are not the same (P1 P2). Second, by adjusting the position of the
center of mass where P1=P2;

3. learn how to calculate the value of gravitational acceleration.

II. Principle

i. Kater’s Reversible Pendulum

A Kater’s pendulum is a reversible free swinging pendulum invented by British

physicist and army Henry Kater in 1817 for use as a gravimeter instrument to
measure the local acceleration of gravity (Source: Wikipedia). A pendulum can
be used to measure g because for narrow swings, its period of swing T depends
only on g and its length. So, by measuring the length L and period T of a pendulum,
g can be calculated.

𝑇=2

ii. Period of the Compound Pendulum

A compound pendulum, or a physical pendulum, is swinging rigid body

that is free to rotate about a fixed horizontal axis (which does not pass through the
center of gravity). As shown in figure below, an elongated pendulum, with a mass
M, can be suspended from the pivot N1 or N2 without friction. Assume that
gravitational acceleration is g, and the distance between pivot is and the center
gravity of pendulum (C) is l1 and l2. When the pendulum and the vertical line are
 at an angle of , the gravity of the pendulum exerts a torque 1 from the pivot N1
by 1= - Mgl1

If the angle is sufficiently small, then it can be approximated than

. The equation can be resulted in a simple harmonic motion, so the period
𝐼1
P1 swinging about N1 is: 2𝜋√𝑀𝑔𝑙1

From the parallel axis theorem, the inertia when rotating about the pivot
is where ICM is the inertia when rotating about the center of mass. Therefore, the
equation period can be then written as:

P1= P2=

iii. Measure the Gravitational Acceleration (g)

Through experiments, we measure the necessary parameters to find the value of

g. Based on the equations above, this equation can be written:

4𝜋 2 𝑙1𝑃12 −𝑙2𝑃22 1 𝑃12 +𝑃22 𝑃12 −𝑃22

= = 2( + )
𝑔 𝑙12 −𝑙22 𝑙1+𝑙2 𝑙1−𝑙2

Using the equation above, it is clear what the necessary parameters are to measure
for the value of g are two methods as follows.
 ⚫ Method 1: If the position of the center of gravity is known, the value of g can
be directly obtained by measuring the periods P1 and P2, and the lengths I1
and I2.

⚫ Method 2: If the periods are the same no matter the pendulum is suspended
from N1 or N2 (i.e., if P1=P2=P holds). In this way, we only need to measure
the period P(=P1=P2) and the distance between the two pivots l1+l2 knowing
neither the position of the center of gravity nor the individual length l1 and l2.
Note that if the condition P=P1=P2 holds, it means that the compound
pendulum has an exact mass distribution. Then,

𝑙1+𝑙2
P1=P2=2𝜋√ 𝑔

and no matter the pendulum is suspended from N1 or N2, the “effective

lengths” are both equal to the distance between two pivots N1 and N2.
Therefore, we say that N1 and N2 are mutually the pivot and the center of
oscillation, or, in other words, the pendulum can be reversible.

B. Method : Apparatus

 Kater’s Pendulum (see Fig 5.2 and Fig 5.3): There are two blades N1 and N2 that can work
as pivots, a cylindrical weight A with tunable position, and a movable metal piece D. The
mass distribution of the pendulum can be fine-tuned by A and D.

 8748 Timer: with and infrared transceiver.

 Balance bracket (see Fig 5.4): to measure the center of gravity of the pendulum.

Special Note of Kater’s Pendulum

 The mass distribution of pendulum can be fine-tuned by moving the metal piece D.
Consequently, periods P1 and P2 will be changed. Fig 5.5 shows all the possible results of P1
and P2, where the vertical and horizontal axes represent the position of D and the periods,
respectively, and the two curves are thus P1 and P2.

If the results are as shown in (c) and (d), there will be no intersection for the two curves (cannot
find a result with P1=P2). In order to complete “Method 2”, we need to adjust the position of
weight A to further tune the mass distribution.

1. Select the position of D at the both ends and middle point, then conduct the three
measurements first to see whether it is possible for the two curves intersect with each other.

2. If the two curves fail to intersect, then slightly adjust the position of the weight A and
repeat the above until successful. Take (c) as an instance: the direction of the adjustment
of the curve P2 should be upwards to be close to the curve P1.

C. Method : Procedure

Method 1: Find center of gravity, calculate g.

Fix the metal piece D of the pendulum at 50 cm.

Carefully detach the pendulum and place it on the balance bracket as a seesaw (Fig 5.4)
to find the center gravity of C.
Note: Make sure all the moveable pieces are tightly locked and do not place the tip of
pendulum on the ground to prevent from deformation.
 Measure the distance l1 (C-N1) and l2 (C-N2) which should be roughly 100 cm

Carefully attach the pendulum back that hangs from N1 (pivot) and make sure the blade
and groove on the bracket are aligned well.
Note: For safety, stand on table and watch the blade (pivot) during operation.

Set up the 8748 timer:

(1) Connect the infrared transceiver to 8748 on the backside
(2) Press “Mod” button until “PRD” (period mode) is displayed.
(3) Set the number of measures to 10 by pressing three “Count” buttons.
(4) Align the transceiver with the plating surface at end of pendulum, and adjust its position
so that “READY” is displayed that the reflected signal is well received;
otherwise, “Err-|” is displayed when signal is poor received.
Note: 8748 counts once when transceiver received two signals (pendulum swings once); If
“Err-|” is displayed constantly, check the distance if it is too far

Make the pendulum swing within 30, and measure the swinging period by 8748.
Note: The approx. of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝜃 doesn’t hold when large swinging angles which
degrades the accuracy; note that the direction of the swinging should be kept left-right
rather than front-back.

Measure the interval of ten periods 10 x P1 three times and take the average.

Change the pivot to N2 and measure 10 x P2 then calculate value of g.

Method 2: Find the mass distribution for P1=P2 and calculate g

Adjust the metal piece D to the scales 10cm, 50 cm, and 90 cm, and measure P1 and P2.
Note: Please reduce the number of time of attaching/detaching the pendulum. Measure
all the P1’s first and then P2’s or vice versa.

Referring to Fig 5.5, plot the curves of P1 and P2 and make prediction if two
curves intersect.

If there is no intersection, adjust the position of weight A, see “Special Note of

Kater’s Pendulum” ; if there is, this step may be skipped.
Note: The center of gravity is sensitive to A due to its large weight, adjust it with care
or with TA.

Complete the full measurements of P1 and P2 in the table for a better

observation.

Use all the data to make the plot again and find the intersection of two curves P1 and P2.
Note: You may adjust the display range of x- and y- axes for higher precision.

Further adjust the position D by “approximation method” to find where P1=P2

in a precision of millisecond (ms). If there are two intersections, you may choose
one.

Compare your result of g with the accepted value 9.787 m.s-2 of Taipei

D. Results

1. Lab Note with TA’s mark(Attached)

Here’s the raw data we collected.

Method 1: Find the center of gravity

The center of gravity C of the pendulum is at 28.7 cm.

Distance from C to Pivot N1: l1 = 71.5 cm, and l1+l2=100.3 cm,

Distance from C to Pivot N2: l2 = 28.8 cm, and l1-l2=42.7 cm.

10 x P1 (s) Period P1 (s) 10 x P2 (s) Period P2 (s)

20.151 2.0151 20.133 2.0133
20.154 2.0154 20.139 2.0139
20.149 2.0149 20.137 2.0137
Average of P1 (s): 2.01513 Average of P2 (s): 2.01363
Accepted gravitational acceleration in Taipei is g =978.7 cm/s2

Experimental value (calculated with the equation provided): g = 974.13 cm/s2, error =
0.467%

Method 2: Find the mass distribution (by location of D) when P1=P2

We only did this step three times:

Position of D (cm) 10 x P1 (s) 10 x P2 (s)

40 20.153 20.151
50 20.151 20.133
60 20.158 20.162
The position D found = 40 cm, and the period where P≈P1≈P2 = 20.150 s.

By approximation method such that P1=P2 to find the position of D.

Position of D (cm) 10 x P1 (s) 10 x P2 (s)

20.158 20.153 20.154 20.168 20.167 20.168
60
P1 avg.: 2.0155 P2 avg.: 2.0168
20.151 20.154 20.149 20.133 20.139 20.137
50
P1 avg.: 2.01513 P2 avg.: 2.01363
20.153 20.154 20.149 20.151 20.143 20.143
40
P1 avg.: 2.0153 P2 avg.: 2.0146
30 20.181 20.174 20.186 20.225 20.215 20.212
 P1 avg.: 2.0180 P2 avg.: 2.02173
When P≈P1≈P2 = 20.150 s.

Experimental value of g = 975 .24 cm/s2, error = 0.354%

2. Data Analysis and Discussion on Uncertainty

2.1 Data Analysis

- Method 1

There is no graph needed in method 1. In this method, we need to know the center
of gravity of the pendulum (C) with a balance bracket until the pendulum is at
“balance”. The number we obtained is 28.7 cm. Then, we also need l1+l2 and l1-l2
which can be measured and calculated with C we have obtained in order to calculate
4𝜋 2 𝑙1𝑃12 −𝑙2𝑃22 1 𝑃12 +𝑃22 𝑃12 −𝑃22
g from: = = 2( + ). Since we have all the
𝑔 𝑙12 −𝑙22 𝑙1+𝑙2 𝑙1−𝑙2

informations needed, we can directly calculate g = 974.13 cm/s2 with an error of

0.467%

- Method 2

In method 2, we only use three data since we found the distance where P≈P1≈P2.

Position of D vs P1 and P2
20.165

20.16
y = 0.0002x + 20.142
20.155 R² = 0.4808
10 x Period (s)

20.15 10 X P1 (s)
y = 0.0005x + 20.121
20.145 R² = 0.1411 10 x P2 (s)

20.14 Linear (10 X P1 (s))

Linear (10 x P2 (s))
20.135

20.13
30 40 50 60 70
Position of D (cm)

Since we only used three data to plot the graph, we only have one intersection on
the right. From the graph, we tried to estimate the position of D where P1 is equal
to P2 by zooming the graph a little bit. As we can see, the slope for both graph is
quite close which is 0.0002 and 0.0005 and we can say that the experiment is quite
precise. The solid line of blue and orange, represent P1 and P2 in real situation,
accordingly. The graph resembles more to graph (a) in Fig 5.5. The two intersection
can be used to look for gravitational acceleration.

We only use three data since we randomly picked a few numbers of position D and
measure it with the pendulum. It is really hard to find the really fixed and precise
same value of P1 and P2. From the table of our experiment, the nearest value is
found to be in the position of 40 cm which shows the value P1≈P2, 20.153s and
20.151s respectively. So we can conclude that at the distance of 40 cm, P ≈
20.150 𝑠. When we found the value, we stopped the experiment since we have
completed our objective to find the mass distribution where P1=P2.

By the approximate method, we can plot the graph of Position of D (cm) vs. P1 avg.
and P2 avg.

Position of D vs P1 avg. and P2 avg.

2.023
2.022
2.021
2.02
y = -0.0002x + 2.0238
P avg. (s)

2.019
P1 avg.
2.018 R² = 0.3173
P2 avg.
2.017
2.016 y = -8E-05x + 2.0194 Linear (P1 avg.)
2.015 R² = 0.5352 Linear (P2 avg.)
2.014
2.013
20 30 40 50 60 70
Position of D (cm)

The graph also resembles graph (a) which has intersections in two points of P1 and
P2. The trendline also seemed to intersect about 2.015 s of P which also proportional
to the period of P we got from the experiment ≈ 2.0150𝑠 in the distance of 40 cm.
 Hence since the approximate method agree with the previous one, we can conclude
that this experiment is done successfully and quite accurate. After the calculation
𝑙1+𝑙2
using the equation given, P1=P2=2𝜋√ , g is obtained which is 975.24 cm/s2 with
𝑔

an error of 0.354%.

Lastly, our experiments are quite successful with only small error present.

2.2 Discussion on Uncertainty

Experiment Method Error (%)

1 0.467
2 0.354
Our experiment results can be said to fulfill the requirements for this experiment, with
all error percentage below 1%. Nevertheless, errors are still present which means there
were some flaws. By analyzing, there are some systematic errors which might have
occurred during the experiment.

1. The precision of the instrument used

There is a maximum point to where an instrument can be used. In our experiment,

when determining the position of D, the result is only precise until the first decimal
place.

2. Error in determining the center of mass

Center of mass was determined by balancing the pendulum on a balance bracket.

However, errors may occur in doing so as we are not able to clearly determine
whether the pendulum is already balanced or is still a bit unbalanced.

3. The inconsistencies in angles used

In the experiment, we were not able to clearly determine what angle we are using
as we did not use any measuring instrument to measure the angle we used. Hence,
it can’t be the same and can’t be precise with the procedure (30 angle).
 I also discovered the random errors that might also cause error, even though a very
small one. It is the flow of the wind. We picked the place which was nearest to the
window. We observed that since the wind is quite big, it might have affected the
pendulum a little bit although the disturbance is not significant and cannot be clearly
seen.

We can also see that method 1 has slightly greater error than method 2. It can be
explained by the approximation method in the method 2. We used more data and can
clearly plotted the data. Since the data are relatively more, error can be reduced.

E. Discussion on Questions

1. For the measurement of value g, what are the advantages and disadvantages to use a Kater’s
pendulum or an ordinary compound pendulum? Why?

- Because it incorporates a bunch of clever ideas to make the effective length easy to
measure. For example, with a bar pendulum, you’d have to measure the exact shape
and density of pendulum and do the calculation to get the center of mass and moment
inertia; then combine them to get the effective length. Meanwhile, Kater’s pendulum
has a blade built to each end and can be used upside down to give the same period in
both ways. It can be shown that the effective length is exactly equal to the distance
between the blade edges. So, we only need to measure one length and the frequency
resulting the easy calculation of g.

2. When operating “Method 2”, if you encounter the case of (c) and (d) of Fig 5.5, in which
direction should the weight A be adjusted? After adjustment, which one of P1 and P2 is
affected more and why?

- If the results in method 2 were like figure (c), or in other words, P1 is always above P2,
we can adjust it by moving the hammer away from point N2. Similarly, if the results of
method 2 were like figure (d), or when P1 is always below P2, we can adjust it by
moving the hammer closer to point N2. By adjusting the distance from point N2, as
explained in the inertia formula mentioned above in principles, the distance between
N2 and the hammer is changed as the distance is changed, the whole inertia will change,
resulting a change in P2.
3. If 8748 counts twice when the pendulum swings once, what can be the possible reasons?
And how to improve it?

- There are some possible reasons why the infrared transceiver counted twice:

a. The pendulum was not placed in a suitable position (not perpendicular). Resulting
in an error in receiving and transmitting the infrared.

b. There are some defects in the infrared transceiver or the transceiver needs to be
recalibrated or repaired.

c. The starting inclination angle is too small so that the transceiver records twice
instead of once due to the reason that both edged of the pendulum are in the range
of the transceiver.

How to improve? We should adjust the transceiver and the pendulum as it is that it is
not too close but still in the range of transceiver; making sure the pendulum is located
on the right place which is perpendicular is also important. Last, we should use a larger
starting angle, but still smaller than 50 to prevent errors.

4. Based on your own knowledge, design an experimental method to precisely measure g.

- From what I have learnt, the method I would like to design is the vacuum chamber.
Galileo de Galilei once said that everything falls at the same rate in vacuum. Unlike in
usual environment, where air resistance takes part in slowing falling objects, there is
nothing that can bother the fall of an object in vacuum. If we drop a feather and a steel
ball in usual environment, the ball will reach the ground earlier as the feather is slowed
down by air. Drop the same things in vacuum, what we will see is that both of the things
fall and reach the ground at the same time. By Newton’s law,

𝐹
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 → 𝑎 =
𝑚

In a free fall, the only force is the weight of the object which is 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔, substituting
𝑊 𝑚𝑔
this to the equation then we get: 𝑎 = = = 𝑔. Then we should be able to determine
𝑚 𝑚

the acceleration of the falling object with a accelerometer, and the g will be accurately
 determined. Another way to measure the acceleration is by measuring the change of
velocity, then dividing with time needed for objects to fall.

F. Reference

1. General Physics Laboratory, NTU Press, 2021

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kater%27s_pendulum#:~:text=A%20Kater's%20pendulum
%20is%20a,the%20local%20acceleration%20of%20gravity.&text=It%20is%20now%20
used%20only%20for%20demonstrating%20pendulum%20principles.

3. http://www.hep.vanderbilt.edu/~velkovja/VUteach/PHY225a/writeups/kpend/katerpend.p
df