General physics(Phys 1011),

2024

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES
ADDIS ABEBA UNIVERSITY

PHYSICS LAB REPORT

Experiment 2: Local Acceleration Due to Gravity Using Simple Pendulum

Date of experiment: 07-NOV-2024

Date of submission: 14-DEC-2024
Group Number:
Group members
1. Huda Redwan: UGR/0220/17
2. Lidia Tesfatsion: UGR/0232/17
3. Marsilas Addis: UGR/5431/17
4. Rakeb Admasu: UGR/7813/17

Name of Instructor: Ato Desalegn G.

Name of Lab Assistant: Ato Debebe M.

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 General physics(Phys 1011),
2024

Local Acceleration Due to Gravity Using Simple

Pendulum

Abstract
 The experiment investigates the determination of the local acceleration due to gravity (g) using a
simple pendulum. By measuring the period of oscillation (T) of a pendulum of varying lengths (L) and
applying the relationship T = 2π√ l/g the acceleration due to gravity can be calculated. The
experimental setup involved a lightweight string with a small bob, ensuring minimal air resistance and
friction. Data was collected for different pendulum lengths and a graph of T 2 versus L was plotted to
determine g from the slope. The results were analyzed for accuracy, and potential sources of error,
such as measurement uncertainties and alignment issues, were discussed. The calculated value of g
was compared with the standard theoretical value for the geographical location, yielding a conclusion
on the reliability and precision of the method.

Purpose (objective of the experiment)

 To investigate the relation between the period of a simple pendulum and its length.
 To determine local acceleration due to gravity

Apparatus
Equipment Needed Quantity
Mass(bob of different size) 2
String with manageable length
Support (stand and ceiling) 1
Digital /analog stop watch 1
Meter stick 1

Introduction

 Gravity is a fundamental force that pulls any two objects with mass towards each other, playing an
essential role in the universe. It is one of the four primary forces that regulate all physical events and
operates on large scales, influencing everything from the falling motion of objects to the trajectories
of celestial bodies. Unlike the other fundamental forces—electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and
weak nuclear force—gravity is characterized by its solely attractive nature. The standard value for the
acceleration due to gravity is 9.80665 m/s², highlighting its importance in the exploration of the
natural world.

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 General physics(Phys 1011),
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Theory: Local Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

 The simple pendulum is a widely used device in physics experiments to measure the local acceleration
due to gravity (g). It consists of a small mass (called the bob) suspended from a fixed point by a
lightweight, inextensible string. When displaced from its equilibrium position and released, the
pendulum undergoes periodic motion due to the restoring force provided by gravity.

Assumptions for Simple Pendulum Motion:

1. The string is massless and inextensible.

2. The bob is a point mass.
3. Air resistance is negligible.
4. The angle of displacement is small (<100) to ensure simple harmonic motion(SHM)

Simple Harmonic Motion and Time Period:

 For small angular displacements, the motion of the pendulum can be approximated as simple harmonic
motion, where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement. The time period (T) of
a simple pendulum is the time it takes for the pendulum to complete one full oscillation. It is given by
the formula:

T = 2π√ l/g

Where:

 T = Time period (seconds)

 L = Length of the pendulum (meters)
 g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)

Derivation of the Formula:

 The restoring force acting on the pendulum bob is due to gravity, given by:

F=−mgsinθ

For small angles (sinθ ≈ θ in radians), this becomes:

F ≈ −mgθ

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The torque about the pivot point is:

τ = −L⋅F≈ −L⋅ mg ⋅ θ

The angular acceleration (α) is related to torque by:

τ= Iα

For a point mass, the moment of inertia (I) is mL2:

−L ⋅mg ⋅θ = mL2 α

Simplifying:

α=− g¿L θ

This indicates SHM with angular frequency ω=√ l/g . The time period is then:

T=2π¿ω=2π√ l/g

Experimental Determination of g:

 By measuring the time period (T) for a pendulum of known length (L), the local acceleration due to
gravity can be calculated using:

g=4π2L¿ T 2

Methods (Procedures)
1. Connect the bob to the string which is suspended from some height (ceiling).

2. Make the initial length of the pendulum 80 cm, and consecutively increase the length by 10 cm
interval five times.

3. For each of the increment give the pendulum a small displacement.

4. Allow each pendulum to make four complete cycles. Record the time taken.

5. Divide the total time into four to get average period T (time for each oscillation).

6. Repeat the experiment by changing the bob of small/large mass.

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Data and Observation

I. With the bigger mass

Number Time T of Length(l) Time T for T2 g g-gave (g-gave)2

of activity oscillation each
oscillation
1 17.54 80cm 1.754 3.077 10.25 0.14 0.0196
2 18.83 90cm 1.883 3.546 10.01 -0.1 0.01
3 20.07 100cm 2.007 4.028 9.79 -0.32 0.1024
4 20.73 110cm 2.073 4,297 10.10 -0.01 0.0001
5 21.31 120cm 2.131 4.541 10.42 0.31 0.0961
Average 10.11

II. With the smaller mass

Number Time T of Length(l) Time T for T2 g g-gave (g-gave)2

of activity oscillation each
oscillation
1 17.39 80cm 1.739 3.024 10.43 0.19 0.0361
2 18.5 90cm 1.85 3.42 10.37 0.13 0.0169
3 19.55 100cm 1.955 3.822 10.32 0.08 0.0064
4 21.03 110cm 2.103 4.423 9.81 -0.43 0.1849
5 21.44 120cm 2.144 4.597 10.29 0.05 0.0025
Average 10.24

Data Analysis
 Acceleration due to gravity using the average period for the larger mass.
I. With the bigger mass
For trials 1

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π)2x 0.8 / 3.077

g = 10.25 m/s2

For trial 2

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ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 0.9/ 3.546

g= 10.01 m/s2
For trial 3

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 1 /4.028

g = 9.79 m/s2
For trial 4

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 1.1/4.297

g = 10.10m/s2
For trial 5

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 1.2 /4.541

g = 10.42 m/s2
The average(ğ).

ğ ave = (10.25+10.01+9.79+10.10+10.42)/5

ğ ave = 10.11 m/s2

The standard deviation (Sx) for the larger mass

N
( g−ğ )2
Sx = √ ∑
i=1 N −1

Sx = √ (0.0196 +0.01+0.1024 +0.0001+0.0961)/4

Sx = √ 0.2282/4

Sx = 0.057

The Standard error for the larger mass

Standard Error (uncertainty) = Sx ¿ √ N

= 0.057 ¿ √ 5

= 0.025

% Error = | Measured value – True value | * 100%

Truth value

= | 10.11 – 9.810 | * 100%

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9.810

= 0.03 * 100%

= 3%

II. With the smaller mass

For trials 1

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π)2x 0.8 / 3.024

g = 10.43 m/s2
For trial 2

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 0.9/ 3.42

g= 10.37 m/s2
For trial 3

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 1 /3.822

g = 10.32 m/s2
For trial 4

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 1.1/4.423

g = 9.81 m/s2
For trial 5

ğ =4(π)2 L /T2 g = 4(π) 2x 1.2 /4.597

g = 10.29 m/s2
The average(ğ).

ğ ave = (10.43+10.37+10.32+9.81+10.29)/5

ğ ave = 10.24 m/s2

The standard deviation (Sx) for the larger mass

N
( g−ğ )2
Sx = √ ∑
i=1 N −1

Sx = √ (0.0361+ 0.0169+0.0064+ 0.1849+0.0025)/4

Sx = √ 0.2468/ 4

Sx = 0.25

The Standard error for the larger mass

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Standard Error (uncertainty) = Sx ¿ √ N

= 0.25 ¿ √ 5

= 0.11

% Error = | Measured value – True value | * 100%

Truth value

= | 10.24 – 9.810 | * 100%

9.810

= 0.43 * 100%

= 43%

Result and discussion

 The experimental value for the local acceleration due to gravity was measured at 10.11 m/s² and then
compared to the accepted standard value of 9.81 m/s². The similarity between these values suggests
that the experimental determination of gravity was reasonably accurate. However, several sources of
error may have contributed to the observed differences, including air resistance, measurement
uncertainties, and the pendulum's finite angular displacement.

 In the case of the smaller mass, the measured value for the local acceleration due to gravity was 10.24
m/s², which deviates more significantly from the accepted value. This larger discrepancy is likely due
to increased uncertainty in measuring the pendulum's length and period (time).

Conclusion
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 General physics(Phys 1011),
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 This experiment, we investigated the oscillatory motion of a pendulum using two different masses, one
larger and one smaller, to study the effect of mass on the period of oscillation. The results showed
that the period of the pendulum is independent of the mass of the bob. Both the heavier and lighter
masses exhibited the same period when swung from the same pendulum length and amplitude. This
confirms the theoretical prediction that the period of a simple pendulum depends only on its length
and the acceleration due to gravity, as expressed by the formula:

T = 2π
√
2 L
g

 These findings reinforce Galileo's principle that gravitational force affects all objects equally, regardless
of their mass, as long as air resistance is negligible. Furthermore, the experiment highlights that a
pendulum's motion is an example of simple harmonic motion, where the restoring force is
proportional to the displacement. Any variations observed in the results may have been due to factors
such as air resistance, friction at the pivot point, or minor inaccuracies in timing.

 Overall, this experiment demonstrates the reliability of theoretical physics in predicting real-world
phenomena and emphasizes the independence of a pendulum’s period from the mass of its bob, as
long as other factors remain constant.

Reference
1. Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2018). Fundamentals of Physics (10th ed.). Wiley.

2. Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for Scientists and Engineers (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning. Relevant articles on pendulum motion in physics education

3. Ethiopian Journal of Education and Sciences (EJES). (n.d.). Relevant articles on pendulum
motion in physics education.

4. Standard Physics Laboratory Manual. (n.d.). Addis Ababa University Physics Department.

Answer to post lab questions

1. What is the relation between period and the amplitude of the oscillations?

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 For a simple pendulum (where the angle of swing is small, typically less than ), the period of
oscillation is independent of the amplitude. This means that whether the pendulum swings with a
large or small amplitude, the time it takes to complete one oscillation remains the same.
 This independence arises because the period (T) of a simple pendulum depends only on:

T = 2π
L
g √
2

 L is the length of the pendulum, and

 g is the acceleration due to gravity.
 However, for large amplitudes, this relationship no longer holds true. The period increases slightly
with amplitude due to non-linear effects.

2. Does the change of mass affect the acceleration due to gravity?

 No, the mass of an object does not affect the acceleration due to gravity. The acceleration due to
gravity (g) is a constant value at a given location and is determined by the mass of the Earth and
the distance from the center of the Earth to the object.
 The acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.81 m/s2 near the Earth's surface and is given
by the formula:

g = GM¿ r 2
Where:
- G is the gravitational constant,
- M is the mass of the Earth,
- r is the distance from the center of the Earth to the object.
 This value does not depend on the mass of the object experiencing the gravitational force. Both a
heavy object and a light object will experience the same acceleration due to gravity when dropped
from the same height, assuming no air resistance. This is a principle demonstrated by Galileo’s
famous experiments.

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