Simple Pendulum Experiment Commented [DS1]:

Commented [DS2R1]:

Research Question- What is the effect of change in length of a simple pendulum on

its time period when mass and shape of sphere; temperature, rigidity of apparatus,
amplitude and number of oscillations are all kept constant?

Introduction

A pendulum is made of an inextensible, flexible string that is attached to a bob (a

heavy point mass). This string is suspended from a stand so the bob can swing
freely. The resting position is called its equilibrium position. When the pendulum is
displaced from this position a force(gravity) acts on it and causes it to accelerate
back and front. The time for one complete oscillation back and forth is called time
period.

In this experiment, the length of the string is changed and the time period is
measured. With the help of the readings acceleration due to gravity will be calculated
as force plays an important role in this experiment.

‘l’ will be taken as the length of the simple pendulum in this experiment and the time
period to make one complete oscillation will be taken as T. For a higher value of
accuracy the time will be taken for 10 oscillations and then divided for one. The
acceleration due to gravity will be found by the following process in this experiment.
As we know, the time period of a simple pendulum depends on the length of the
pendulum (l) and the acceleration due to gravity (g), which is expressed by the
relation,

For small amplitude of oscillations,

ie;
If we know the value of l and T, we can calculate the acceleration due to gravity, g at
that place.

The L-T2 graph

We can plot a graph between l and T2 by taking l along the X axis and T2 along the
Y axis. The graph is a straight line.

From the graph,

In this experiment, the length of the string is changed and the time for 10 oscillations
is measured. Five trials of each length have been conducted for higher accuracy.
Through these calculations and findings the acceleration due to gravity will be
determined as it is the only force acting on the pendulum and is important for its
motion.

Hypothesis

As the length of the string increases, the time period increases. This happens
because, as the length of the string increases, the bob has to travel more distance in
the same time (10 oscillations). So in the same number of oscillations more distance
has to be covered thus the velocity of the pendulum decreases and the time period
increases. This makes the relationship between time period and change of length
inversely proportional.

Variables

Since the length of the string is being changed, the bob is the independent variable and the time
period is the dependant variable as it is affected. The constant variables are:
o radius of the bob is 0.99 cm +/-0.01,
o the length of the hook is 1.2 cm +/- 0.1
o the number of oscillations are 10 to the calculate the time period
o the amplitude of all oscillations is 34 cm.

Materials required

1. A clamp with stand

2. Split cork (to hold the string in place)
3. A torsion free string (upto 100 centimeters in length)
4. A bob
5. Vernier caliper
6. Stopwatch +/- 0.01s
7. Meter scale
 Placement of apparatus:

Procedure

1 Find the constant reading on the Vernier caliper scale to find if there si any zero
error and record the reading.
2 Use the Vernier caliper to determine the diameter of the bob.
3 Calculate the mean radius of the bob. This is a constant variable.
4 Attach an inextensible string to the bob. To measure the length of the pendulum,
measure it from the top of the string to midway of the bob. This will be l.
5 Put ink marks on the thread using different markers to color code the lengths 50, 60,
70, 80, 90 and 100cm from the center of the bob.
6 Pass the thread through the splited cork with the 50 cm mark at the bottom of the
cork and tighten the two cork pieces between the clamp.
7 Fix the clamp on the stand and place the stand on the edge of the table.
8 Mark the amplitude of 34 cm the oscillation has to cover to keep the amplitude Commented [VP3]: Why this choice?

constant throughout the experiment.

9 Release the bob and see that the bob returns over the line without spinning. Commented [VP4]: Why? Explain.

10 After this trial start the stop watch while simultaneously releasing the bob from
one end of the marked amplitude line.
11 Measure the time for 10 oscillations and then divide to calculate time for one
oscillation to get more accurate results. So just when the 10th oscillation is Commented [VP5]: What is one oscillation?

complete, count 10 and at once stop the stop watch.

12 Repeat steps 9 to 11 for every length of the string and take 5 trails for each
length.
Commented [VP6]: Write detail procedure of the things
you do to conduct the experiment.

13 In each case calculate .

Calculate the mean value of and then the acceleration due to gravity using
relation (2).

Raw data table

Sr. L △L+/- 0.1 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5

1 50 1.453 1.457 1.469 1.481 1.469
2 60 1.58 1.58 1.56 1.56 1.57
3 70 1.7 1.719 1.724 1.649 1.713
4 80 1.73 1.75 1.72 1.71 1.76
5 90 2.031 2.081 2.063 2.01 2.094
6 100 2.025 2.019 2.028 2.035 2.047 Commented [VP7]: Time uncertainities? Please be
consistent in decimal values.
Show sample calculation.
How did you calculate uncertainty?
Processed data table How is the error propagation?
Commented [VP8]: This is a generic name.
Please be specific.
L T △T T^2 ±6.6
S T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
r. △L ±0.01s ±0.01s ±0.01s ±0.01s ±0.01s ±0.01s
2.14856
1 50 1.453 1.457 1.469 1.481 1.469 1.47E+00 964
 2 60 1.58 1.58 1.56 1.56 1.57 1.57E+00 2.4649
2.89340
3 70 1.7 1.719 1.724 1.649 1.713 1.70E+00 1
3.00675
4 80 1.73 1.75 1.72 1.71 1.76 1.73E+00 6
4.22631
5 90 2.031 2.081 2.063 2.01 2.094 2.06E+00 364
4.12008
6 100 2.025 2.019 2.023 2.035 2.047 2.03E+00 804

Analysis of table via graph: Commented [VP9]: Point to point line is not allowed!
Axes mention unit and uncertainties.

Relation between change of length and time

period
2.5

2
time period

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
length of pendulum

The table below shows the calculated values:

Average time period Acceleration due to gravity

(s) (ms^-2)
1.47 9.13
1.57 9.61
1.7 9.56
1.73 10.6
2.06 8.37
 2.03 9.58

Data processing

Average time period(T)= Trial 1+ Trial2+ Trial3+ Trial4+ Trial5

5
= 1.453+1.457+1.469+1.481+1.469 = 1.47
5
Uncertainty for average= Highest value-Lowest value
2
= (T maxima)2-(T minima)2
2
= (4.22)2-(2.148)2
2
=6.6
Time for one oscillation= Time for 10 oscillation
10
= 14.53
10
= 1.453 s

50
100

(1.47)2
=9.13 ms-2
Uncertainty of gravity: Commented [VP10]: Find g from graph gradient.
Plot maximum and minimum gradient to find uncertainty in
g

(Uncertainty 1) + (Uncertainty 2) X 100

(Value 1) (Value 2)
= 0.01 + 0.1 X100 = 9.13 ms-2 +/- 0.89%
1.47 50
= 0.89 X 9.13 = +/- 0.08 = 9.13 ms-2 +/- 0.08
100

Average of Gravity = 9.13+9.61+9.56+10.6+8.37+9.58

6
= 9.475 ms-2

Average of uncertainties = 0.08+0.02+0.01+0.02+0.01+0.01= ±0.025 = ±0.03

6

Percent Error = Theoretical Value – Calculated Value X 100

Theoretical Value
= 9.81 – 9.475 X 100
9.81
= 3.4% Error

Conclusion

Overall, the experiment was carried out with caution and most errors were taken
care of. The given procedure was followed. There were eight data points and 5 trials
for each were taken to ensure greater accuracy. The investigation was about
determining the impact in change of length of the pendulum by keeping other factors
constant. The effect on the motion of the pendulum was a part of the investigation
and hence determination of gravity. The gravity was calculated to be 9.475 ms-2.
Moreover, the percent error was 3.4%. As the length of the string was increased, the
time period also increased as the bob had to cover more distance in the time frame,
Commented [VP11]: Include values to show evidence.
increasing its velocity. Thus, proving the above hypothesis right. From graph and litreature
Evaluation

Since the percent error was calculated to be 3.4%, this shows there were some Commented [VP12]: In what?

minor errors in the experiment. Firstly, the string experienced friction as the stand
was balancing on the edge of the table, the string often rubbed against the table and
this slowed it down. The second error was the initial angle of the string from where it
was left wasn’t measured by us so with a different angle of oscillation the time period
reading was wavered. To avoid such mistakes, the following measures should be
taken.

Self Improvement

To avoid the above errors, the following precaution steps should be taken:
 The stand holding the string and bob should be kept in a way that the string
has no obstruction to touch. So the edge of the table it is kept on should be in
an open place.
 The stand should not be half out and half on the table. It should be stationary.
To do this put a weight on the sand but make sure it doesn’t hinder with the
movement of the pendulum.
 The angle of oscillation should be kept constant. Measure the angle before
every trial to ensure this. To do this a protractor could be attached to the
stand on the top and then the bob placed on it.

Citations-

https://www.scribd.com/doc/15685729/Simple-Pendulum-Lab
http://amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=1&brch=5&sim=159&cnt=2
Image- http://www.markedbyteachers.com/as-and-a-level/science/shm-determining-
acceleration-due-to-gravity.html