EXPERIMENT

EXPERIMENT19
DETERMINATION OF THE GRAVITATIONAL
ACCELERATION
 AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT

To determine the gravitational acceleration with error analysis.

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THEORY

A. Physical Measurements and Errors

Each measurement contains some errors. The numerical found results in the
experiments do not make any sense unless measurement errors are identified. For
each measured result, the reliability limits of this result, that is, the error limits must
be specified.

For this purpose, some practical information on the determination of errors are
presented below. There are two types of errors in the experiments: (i) Systematic
Errors and (ii) Statistical Errors.

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i. Systematic Errors: As the name implies, they are fixed errors due to the system
itself and they affect the result in the same direction. For example, if the
measurement is made with a mass greater than one kilogram for the calculations of
acceleration of an object in motion, the measurement results will be smaller at the
same rate.

In the existence of such errors, errors are unidirectional; the result is either
continuously larger or smaller. Systematic errors can be resolved in the mean
following ways:
1. Correcting the measurement result,
2. By removing the error in the measurement system,
3. By changing the measurement method.
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ii. Statistical Errors: Due to the limited accuracy of the measurement, they are usually
small and bidirectional errors resulting from instability in the measured object or
measurement system. The presence of such errors can be seen by multiple
repetitions of the same measurement. The measured results are different from
each other and are distributed around a certain value.

These errors cannot be extracted from the measurement results, but it is possible to
determine approximately the extent to which the margins of error and the
measured magnitude are reliable. The effect of such errors on the measurement
results can be reduced by multiple repetitions of the same measurement and
statistical evaluation of the results.

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When a physical quantity is measured, for instance x, N times, the measurement
results are x1, x2, ..., xN olsun. The average value of x (𝑥̅ ) is

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 ⋯ 𝑥
𝑥̅
𝑁

The 𝑥̅ value is the most approximate value of x. Therefore, if a quantity is measured N

times, we can take the average value as a result of the measurement. The reliability of
the result of measurement is found to increase proportionally to the number of
measurements (N). However, we have to repeat enough tests in the experiments.

What is the error in 𝑥̅ ? A general method for determination of errors is to calculate the
average deviation value. For example, the deviation of xi in any one measurement is
𝑑 𝑥 𝑥̅
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The average deviation of this measurement is

𝑑̅ 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 ⋯ 𝑑 /𝑁

The arithmetic mean of the average deviation values can be taken as a statistical
error. For any measurement of x, the measurement result is expressed as

𝑥 𝑥̅ 𝑑̅
In some cases, errors are given as an error percentage. In this case, the error
percentage will be 𝑑̅/𝑥̅ 100% in which case the measurement result for x is

𝑥 𝑥̅ 𝑑̅/𝑥̅ 100% .
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The deviation from the average value for the N measurement can be a measure of the
sensitivity of the measured value. But this deviation is not a real error. This should only
be considered as an approach in the determination of statistical error.

When a large number of measurements cannot be repeated, where a systematic error

is suspected, or where non‐sensitive measuring instruments are used, the most
appropriate way to determine measurement errors is to take the largest possible error
value.

For example, for the length measured by a meter with the smallest part of 1mm, the
greatest possible error would be Δx =1 mm. In this case, the actual value of a
measured x length will vary between x‐Δx and x+Δx.

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Measurements cannot be done directly. Related values are measured and the
magnitude of physical quantity to be determined is calculated. In this case, the effect of
error margins on measurement of different magnitudes must be determined. In such
cases, we will briefly examine the methods to be used in the calculation of errors.

Suppose that the physical quantity r given by 𝑟 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 will be calculated by the

measurement of the dimensions x, y and 𝑧. If the greatest possible error in the
measurement of x, y and 𝑧 is Δx, Δy, Δz, respectively, the effect of these values on the
change of r will be

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
∆𝑟 · ∆𝑥 · ∆𝑦 · ∆𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

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 Here are a few examples of the implementation of this equation.

a. Addition: 𝑟 𝑥 𝑦 → ∆𝑟 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 (RULE 1)

b. Extraction: 𝑟 𝑥 𝑦 → ∆𝑟 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 (RULE 2)

∆ ∆ ∆
c. Multiplication: 𝑟 𝑥 · 𝑦 → ∆𝑟 𝑦 · ∆𝑥 𝑥 · ∆𝑦 𝑦∆𝑥 𝑥∆𝑦 → (RULE 3)

·∆ ·∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆
d. Division: 𝑟 𝑥/𝑦 → ∆𝑟 𝑟 → (RULE 4)

∆ ∆
e. Exponential Function: 𝑟 𝑥 → ∆𝑟 𝑛𝑥 ∆𝑥 → 𝑛 (RULE 5) (n any number)

f. Trigonometric Function: 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 → ∆r cos x ∆x (RULE 6)

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B. SIMPLE PENDULUM

A simple pendulum consists of a point mass suspended

from a string or rode of negligible mass (Figure 1). During
the motion of the mass, the force acting on the mass is
expressed as
F -mgsinθ
The sign (‐) indicates that the force is in the restoring
character, in other words, this force tries to bring the
mass to a constant equilibrium position and is in the
opposite direction to the displacement.
Figure 1. Simple pendulum

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According to Newton’s Second Law of Motion, the equation of motion is

𝑑 𝑥
𝐹 𝑚𝑎 𝑚 𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑑𝑡

𝑑 𝑥 𝑑 𝜃 𝑔
𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 0→ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝐿

The equation of motion is a 2nd order non‐linear differential equation and no analytical
solution! However, in the case of small displacements, we can write sinθ≅θ. In this
case, the equation is converted into a 2nd order differential equation with constant
coefficient and has the solution:

𝑑 𝜃 𝑔 𝑔
𝜃 0→𝜃 𝑡 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑡 𝛿 ,𝑤
𝑑𝑡 𝐿 𝐿 12
The period of motion is

2𝜋 2𝜋
𝑇 2𝜋 𝐿/𝑔
𝑤 𝑔/𝐿

Important Note: Please note that the solution presented here is only valid for minor
displacements from the equilibrium position. If you oscillate your pendulum with very
large angles in the experiment, these solutions will not be valid!

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Figure 2. Experimental setup

• A plastic ruler is hold fixed on the side of the pendulum and the mass is released from
a height set on the ruler (Figure 2). One should be careful not to leave at a very large
angle.
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• At this time, the chronometer is started
and the time is measured that takes for
the 5 oscillations of the mass (when the
mass comes to the point where it was
released, it oscillates and one period of
time passes).

• The mass is stopped and the length of the

string is measured.

Video
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• The time and length you measured are recorded in the table below. The process is repeated
9 times again and results are noted in the table. The periods are calculated by dividing the
measured time by 5. Then the arithmetic average of periods and lengths are calculated.

Measurement Time for 5 Time for an oscillation, period, T (s) String length,
oscillations, t (s) L (cm)
1. t1= 6.72 T1= t1/5= 1.34 L1= 47.25
2. t2= 6.89 T2= t2/5= 1.38 L2= 47.30
3. t3= 7.02 T3= t3/5= 1.40 L3= 47.28
4. t4= 6.95 T4= t4/5= 1.39 L4= 47.22
5. t5= 6.86 T5= t5/5= 1.37 L5= 47.27
6. t6= 6.93 T6= t6/5= 1.39 L6= 47.20
7. t7= 6.83 T7= t7/5= 1.37 L7= 47.23
8. t8= 6.98 T8= t8/5= 1.40 L8= 47.25
9. t9= 6.89 T9= t9/5= 1.38 L9= 47.24
10. t10= 6.97 T10= t10/5= 1.39 L10= 47.28
Total T=Ttotal= 13.81 Total L=Ltotal= 472.52
𝑇 Tav= Ttotal/10= 1.381 ≅ 1.38 s 𝐿 Lav= Ltotal/10= 47.252 ≅ 47.25 cm

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• The average deviation is calculated for the periods, the calculations are performed using the
table below.

Measurement Period Deviation of period,

𝒔 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇 𝒔
1. T1= 1.34 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= ‐0.04 𝑑 = 0.04
2. T2= 1.38 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= 0.00 𝑑 = 0.00
3. T3= 1.40 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= 0.02 𝑑 = 0.02
4. T4= 1.39 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= 0.01 𝑑 = 0.01
5. T5= 1.37 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= ‐0.01 𝑑 = 0.01
6. T6= 1.39 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= 0.01 𝑑 = 0.01
7. T7= 1.37 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= ‐0.01 𝑑 = 0.01
8. T8= 1.40 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= 0.02 𝑑 = 0.02
9. T9= 1.38 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= 0.00 𝑑 = 0.00
10. T10= 1.39 𝑑 𝑇 𝑇= 0.01 𝑑 = 0.01
Total= 0.13
∆𝑇 ∆𝑑 𝑑̅ Total/10= 0.013 ≅ 0.01 s

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• The average deviation is calculated for the lengths, the calculations are performed using the
table below.

Measurement String length Deviation of length,

𝒄𝒎 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿 𝒄𝒎
1. L1= 47.25 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= 0.00 𝑏 = 0.00
2. L2= 47.30 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= 0.05 𝑏 = 0.05
3. L3= 47.28 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= 0.03 𝑏 = 0.03
4. L4= 47.22 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= ‐0.03 𝑏 = 0.03
5. L5= 47.27 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= 0.02 𝑏 = 0.02
6. L6= 47.20 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= ‐0.05 𝑏 = 0.05
7. L7= 47.23 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= ‐0.02 𝑏 = 0.02
8. L8= 47.25 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= 0.00 𝑏 = 0.00
9. L9= 47.24 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= ‐0.01 𝑏 = 0.01
10. L10= 47.28 𝑏 𝐿 𝐿= 0.03 𝑏 = 0.03
Total = 0.24
∆𝐿 ∆𝑏 𝑏 Total/10= 0.024 ≅ 0.02 cm

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• 𝑇 2𝜋 → 𝑔 4𝜋

The gav is found using average value of time and period in above equation (𝜋 = 3.14):
.
𝑔 4𝜋 4.00 3.14
.

𝑔 ≅ 978.5 cm/s2
• Considering Rule 4 and Rule 5, the error at the period measurement is calculated using

expression 𝑇 2𝜋 :

∆𝑇 1 ∆𝐿 ∆𝑔 ∆𝑔 ∆𝑇 ∆𝐿 ∆𝑇 ∆𝐿
→ 2 → ∆𝑔 𝑔 2
𝑇 2 𝐿 𝑔 𝑔 𝑇 𝐿 𝑇 𝐿 19
• The error (∆g) in finding g is calculated:

∆𝑇 ∆𝐿 0.01 0.02
∆𝑔 𝑔 2 979 2.00
𝑇 𝐿 1.38 47.25

∆𝑔 ≅ 𝟏𝟑. 𝟖 𝒄𝒎/𝒔𝟐

• The gravitational acceleration is written:

𝑔 𝑔 ∆𝑔
𝑔 ≅ 𝟗𝟕𝟖. 𝟓 𝟏𝟑. 𝟖 𝒄𝒎/𝒔𝟐
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Deney1: Yerçekimi İvmesnin Belirlenmesi

m=50 gr

Set1 5 oscillations Set2 10 oscillations Set3 20 oscillations

5 salınım 10 salınım 20 salınım
t (s) L (cm) t (s) L (cm) t (s) L(cm)
9.32 87.85 15.42 58.46 25.26 40.75
9.45 87.85 15.41 58.47 25.55 39.93
9.36 87.79 15.36 58.52 24.91 39.5
9.32 87.81 15.45 58.51 25.15 39.62
9.35 87.78 15.37 58.48 25.01 40.35
9.35 87.78 15.46 58.47 25.12 39.6
9.33 87.79 15.4 58.45 25.32 39.75
9.43 87.86 15.38 58.49 25.42 39.64
9.56 87.82 15.42 58.49 25.15 39.22
9.46 87.81 15.41 58.45 25.18 39.55