Mechanics

Lab report
Date: 16-5-2022

Group A4
Group members:
(i) Muhammad Zeeshan Ayyub Khan
(ii) Muhammad Asad Saeed
(iii) Mian Muhammad Bilal
 Experiment no. 1
Study of Compound pendulum
Abstract:
In this experiment we will determine the value of gravitational acceleration ‘g’ and radius of
gyration for the compound pendulum rod containing holes.

Theory:
A compound pendulum has an extended mass,
like a swinging bar, and is free to oscillate
about a horizontal axis. The extended mass is
called a rigid body in the case of the compound
pendulum. For the simple pendulum the mass is
concentrated in its bob, however the mass of
the compound pendulum is distributed
throughout the body. For this experiment
consider a rigid body AB of mass ‘m’ free to
vibrate about a horizontal axis through the
center of suspension ‘S’. ‘G’ is the
position of center of gravity of the body for
which the distance from the center of
suspension to center of gravity ‘SG’ equals ‘l’.
The body would be displaced through a small angle ‘’. The torque acting upon the body due to
its weight ‘mg’ would be
τ =l× mg sinθ
For which sin=  since the angle is very small for the vibration so,
τ =lmgθ
The torque produces an angular acceleration ‘α’ in the body. If ‘I’ is the moment of inertia of the
body about ‘S’ then
τ =Iα
Iα=−mglθ
The negative sign tells us that the acts to oppose angle ‘’. Radius of gyration is defined as the
distance from the center of mass to the center of gravity. Let ‘k’ be the radius of gyration of the
body and its moment of inertia about ‘G’ is mk 2. Thus total moment of inertia of the body is
2 2
I =mk +ml

I =m(k ¿ ¿ 2+ l )¿
2
Time period of a compound pendulum is given as

T =2 π
√ I
mgl
By substituting the value of ‘I’ in the equation of time period

T =2 π
√
m(k ¿ ¿ 2+l 2)
mgl
¿

T =2 π
√ (k ¿ ¿ 2+ l 2)
gl
¿

√ ( )
2
k
l +l
l
T =2 π
gl

√ ( )
2
k
+l
l
T =2 π
g

( )
2
k
Replace +l by ‘L’
l

T =2 π
√ L
g
Shows the time period of the rigid body that is same as the simple pendulum of length ‘L’.
2
k
The expression L= +l in quadratic form can be written as
l
2 2
l −¿+ k =0
By solving this equation we get two roots l 1 and l 2 whose sum and product can be stated as
S=l1 +l 2=L
2
P=l 1 l 2=k

From the product of roots k =√ l 1 l 2 , we can find the radius of gyration and hence the inertia
2
I =mk

Procedure:
 In this experiment we must find out the value of “g” and for this we are using compound
pendulum. We will find time period of compound pendulum ten times.
I. First, we will measure length of rigid body (given metal rod).
II. Then we will find center of gravity or mid-point of metal rod.
III. As given metal rod has holes, from center of gravity we have ten holes from either side of
the metal rod which we term as “Side A” and “Side B”.
IV. We will arrange clamp stand to hold metal rod.
V. We have knife edge. Using it we will fix it at Side A first at the hole closest to center of
gravity.
VI. We will balance the knife edge at wedge of clamp stand.
VII. Then displace the compound pendulum setup slightly (approx. 5 ̊ to 6 ̊ )
VIII. Now note the time for ten vibrations two times, name the readings as t 1 and t 1
IX. Then take mean of those two vibrations.
X. Then divide the mean calculated by 10 to get values.
XI. Repeat step 5-10 for all other holes.
XII. Now graph is drawn by taking distance at x-axis and time at y-axis.
XIII. Draw a line ABCDE parallel to the x- axis but not near the bends of the curve. The
2
k
length of the equivalent simple pendulum, L= +l = AD or BE, i.e., AC = l and CD
l
2 2
k k
= , D being the center of oscillation. Similarly, CE = l and BC = , B being the
l l
center of oscillation. Calculate 'g' using the relation:
2 L
g=4 π 2
T
Here T is the time period at C
XIV. From above readings, calculate k 2 = AC

CD = BC.CE or k 2 = BˊCˊ.CˊEˊ
√ AC . CD+ √ BC . CE √ AˊCˊ .CˊDˊ+ √ BˊCˊ. CˊEˊ
k= 2
or k =
2
XV. Find out mean k
XVI. Find out moment of inertia by using the relation

2
I =mk
XVII. Graph between the time and distance will be like this:
Calculation and observations:
 SIDE A:
Hole Distance from t 1 (s) t 2 (s) Mean Mean
no. # center of (For 10 vibrations) (For 1 vibration)
Gravity (cm)
1. 48.5 15.34 15.55 15.44 1.54
2. 43.5 14.22 14.35 14.28 1.42
3. 38.5 13.97 14.00 13.98 1.39
4. 33.5 13.77 13.43 13.6 1.36
5. 28.5 13.31 13.28 13.34 1.33
6. 23.5 13.5 13.30 13.4 1.34
7. 18.5 14.2 14.5 14.35 1.43
8. 13.5 14.6 14.9 14.75 1.47
9. 8.5 15.86 15.7 15.78 1.57
10. 2.5 22.9 22.32 22.61 2.26

 SIDE B:
Hole Distance from t 1 (s) t 2 (s) Mean time Mean time
no. # center of (For 10 vibrations) (For 1 vibration)
Gravity (cm)
1. 48.5 16.07 16.54 16.3 1.63
2. 43.5 15.13 15.38 15.25 1.52
3. 38.5 14.75 14.62 14.68 1.46
4. 33.5 14.45 14.51 14.48 1.44
5. 28.5 14.28 14.1 14.19 1.41
6. 23.5 13.91 13.7 13.8 1.38
7. 18.5 14.4 14.7 14.55 1.45
8. 13.5 14.97 15.19 15.08 1.5
9. 8.5 16.6 16.9 16.75 1.67
10. 2.5 23.7 23.5 23.6 2.36

AD + BE 60+61
L1 = = =60.5 cm
2 2
2 L −2
g1=4 π 2
=9.25 m s
T
AˊDˊ+ BˊEˊ 55+61
L2 = = =58 cm
2 2
 2 L −2
g2=4 π 2
=10.1 m s
T
9.25+10.1 −2
Mean value of g¿ =9.67 m s
2

Percentage Error:
¿
% Error¿ ¿ 9.67−9.8∨ 9.8 ×100=1.3 % ¿

Conclusion:
Overall, our experiment proved the value of g to be 9.67 m s−2 with an error of 1.3%. Using the
above-mentioned procedure, we calculated our two values of g. This was done to reduce the error
in our readings by taking their average. This error was later calculated and turned out to be about
1.3%. Upon discussion we have found that error is due to:
 Parallax error
 Disturbance in workplace
 Different method of releasing the rod (Personal error)

Questions:
Q.1: Define a compound pendulum.
Ans: It is a rigid body capable of vibrating abut a horizontal axis passing through it.
Q.2: Why is a compound pendulum preferred for the determination of 'ft?
Ans: Because it moves as one rigid body and we take into account the moment of inertia
of the whole body.
Q.3: Define a simple pendulum.
Ans: It consists of a point mass suspended by a weightless, inextensible, and flexible
string from a fixed point about which the pendulum oscillates without friction. In
practice, it is not possible to find a pendulum which may meet such ideal conditions.
Q.4: What is a second's pendulum?
Ans: A simple pendulum having a time period of two seconds.
Q.5: Define an equivalent simple pendulum.
Ans: A simple pendulum having the same time period as that of a compound pendulum is
called equivalent simple pendulum.
Q.6: Why do you place the knife edges symmetrical1y?
Ans: The knife edges are kept symmetrical so that the center of gravity does not shift.