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Simple Pendulum Lab Experiment

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Simple Pendulum Lab Experiment

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irisiraq
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Simple Pendulum Lab Experiment

UNIVERSTIY OF BAGHDAD
AL-KHWARZIMI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

Abdullah Araz Nabeel | Physics Lab | 27/11/2023


Introduction

The objective of this experiment is to


measure the acceleration due to gravity (g)
using a simple pendulum. The simple
pendulum, consisting of a mass suspended
from a string, exhibits periodic motion
known as simple harmonic motion. The
period of this motion, represented by the
time taken for one complete oscillation, is
influenced by the length of the pendulum
and the acceleration due to gravity. The
hypothesis is that the period is
independent of the mass of the pendulum
and the initial angular displacement
amplitude.

PAGE 1
Apparatus

The following materials were used in


this experiment:

1. Pendulum Bob
2. String/Rod
3. Stopwatch/Timer
4. Meter Stick/Ruler
5. Support Stand with a String Clamp
6. Clamp
7. Protractor

PAGE 2
Procedure
1. Set up the support stand and attach the string to the
pendulum bob. The string should be approximately 125 cm
long and should be clamped by the string clamp between
the two flat pieces of metal so that the string always pivots
about the same point.

2. Measure the length of the pendulum from the point of


suspension to the center of the bob.

3. Displace the pendulum about 5º from its equilibrium


position and let it swing back and forth. Measure the total
time that it takes to make 8 complete oscillations. Record
that time in your spreadsheet.

4. Increase the length of the pendulum by about 0.10 m


and repeat the measurements made in the previous steps
until the length increases to approximately 1.0 m.

5. Calculate the period of the oscillations for each length


by dividing the total time by the number of oscillations, 8.
Record the values in the appropriate column of your data
table.

PAGE 3
Discussion

1. From your data what effect does changing the


mass have on the period (for a given value of
the length L)?
- The data indicates that changing the mass does not
have an effect on the period of the pendulum.
According to the information provided, the period (T)
of a simple pendulum depends only on the length of
the pendulum (L) and the acceleration due to gravity
(g). The formula T = 2π√(L/g) suggests that mass is not
a factor in determining the period. Therefore,
regardless of the mass, the period should remain
constant for a given length of the pendulum.

2. What role, if any, does air resistance have on


your results? Explain your reasoning.
- Air resistance can introduce errors in the measurement of the
period. The formula T = 2π√(L/g) assumes an idealized
scenario without external factors like air resistance. In the
presence of air resistance, the pendulum may experience
damping, causing it to lose energy and affecting the accuracy
of the period measurement. If air resistance is significant, it
may lead to a shorter observed period than the theoretical
value calculated using the formula. Minimizing air resistance
by conducting the experiment in a vacuum or low-air-
resistance environment would help improve the accuracy of
the results.

PAGE 4
3. Would you conclude that Galileo was correct in
his observation that the period of a simple
pendulum depends only on the length of the
pendulum?
-Based on the experimental data and the information
provided, it can be concluded that Galileo was correct in his
observation. The formula T = 2π√(L/g) derived from the
experimental procedure shows that the period of a simple
pendulum is indeed dependent only on the length of the
pendulum (L) and the acceleration due to gravity (g). The
mass of the pendulum does not affect the period, supporting
Galileo's observation.

4. On the moon, the acceleration due to gravity is


one-sixth that of earth (𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑛 = 𝑔𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ /6 = 1.63
m/s²). What effect, if any, would this have on
the period of a pendulum of length L? How
would the period of this pendulum differ from
an equivalent one on earth?
- The period of a pendulum is inversely proportional to the
square root of the acceleration due to gravity (T = 2π√(L/g)).
If the acceleration due to gravity is decreased (as on the
moon), the period of the pendulum would increase. In this
case, the period of the pendulum on the moon would be
longer compared to an equivalent one on Earth. The
relationship is such that if gravity is weaker, the restoring
force acting on the pendulum is reduced, leading to a longer
period of oscillation.

PAGE 5
Results Table
𝐿(𝑚) 𝑇1 𝑇2 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑇 𝑇2
0.7 16.2 15.9 16.05 1.605 2.57
0.6 15.2 15 15.1 1.51 2.28
0.5 13.9 13.5 13.7 1.37 1.87
0.4 12.3 13 12.65 1.265 1.6
0.3 10.5 10.7 10.6 1.06 1.12

Conclusion
In conclusion, this experiment aimed to determine the acceleration
due to gravity (g) by examining the simple harmonic motion of a
pendulum. The hypothesis that the period of the pendulum is
independent of the mass and initial angular displacement amplitude
was explored through systematic measurements of the period for
various pendulum lengths.

The results obtained from the experiment demonstrated a


consistent relationship between the length of the pendulum and its
period. As the length increased, the period of oscillation also
increased, confirming the theoretical expectation based on the
formula for the period of a simple pendulum.

𝐿
This observation aligns with the equation 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ , where T is
𝑔

the period, L is the length of the pendulum, and g is the


acceleration due to gravity. In summary, this experiment
successfully illustrated the relationship between the period of a
simple pendulum and its length, providing a practical method for
determining the acceleration due to gravity. The results support the
hypothesis and contribute to a better understanding of the
fundamental principles governing simple harmonic motion.

References: https://sc.edu/ , www.phys.utk.edu/

PAGE 6

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