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Lab 13

This experiment uses a simple pendulum to determine the acceleration due to gravity, g. A pendulum with a bob is set up and swung with an amplitude of 10 degrees or less. The time for 20 oscillations is measured for different pendulum lengths. The period is calculated and graphed against the length squared. The slope of the line is used to calculate g, which is stated in the conclusion.

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Tren EDWARD
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121 views

Lab 13

This experiment uses a simple pendulum to determine the acceleration due to gravity, g. A pendulum with a bob is set up and swung with an amplitude of 10 degrees or less. The time for 20 oscillations is measured for different pendulum lengths. The period is calculated and graphed against the length squared. The slope of the line is used to calculate g, which is stated in the conclusion.

Uploaded by

Tren EDWARD
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LAB 8: SIMPLE PENDULUM

AIM: To determine the acceleration due to gravity, g, using the simple pendulum

APPARATUS & MATERIALS:

metal bob stopwatch

retort stand meter rule

string

Diagram: Apparatus for the simple pendulum

METHOD:

Set up pendulum as shown in the diagram with the length, l, of about 50 cm. A small
metal object was used as the bob
Fix a pointer opposite the position of the bob when it hangs at rest
Set the pendulum swinging and check with a protractor that the angle of the swing is not
more than 10o.
Sit in the front of the pendulum so that your eye is level with the bob and right angles to
the swing.

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As the bob passes the pointer, start the stopwatch.
When it next passes the pointer going in the same direction, this is one oscillation.
Use the countdown method, time for 20 oscillations of the pendulum and calculate
the period, T.
Repeat the experiment for six (6) additional values of the length, l.

THEORY:

The period of a pendulum is the time it takes the pendulum to make one full back-and-forth swing.

Time
Period¿
Number of Oscillations

RESULTS:

Length Time for 20 oscillations Period (Period)2


l/m
t/s T/s T2 / s2

Plot a graph of the period, T2 against length, l.

CALCULATIONS:

Calculate the gradient, S, of the line, showing clearly how you have obtained your answer.
Find the acceleration due to gravity, g, given that

2
/S
CONCLUSION:

State the acceleration due to gravity, g.

20

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