Lab # 1

DATE: _______________________________

Theory

A simple pendulum is defined as an object that has a small mass, also known as the pendulum bob, which is
suspended from a wire or string of negligible mass. When displaced, a pendulum will oscillate around its equilibrium
point due to momentum in balance with the restoring force of gravity.

Research:

1. Explain, with a diagram, what is meant by one (1) oscillation.

 One oscillation is the time taken for the pendulum to complete one to and from motion from point A to B
to C then C to B to A.

2. Explain what is meant by periodic time, T.

 The periodic time is defined as the time interval between two successive repetitions of a wave or motion.

3. Explain, with a diagram, what is meant by the amplitude of the oscillation and the equilibrium position.

 The amplitude refers to the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position, it is essentially the
peak value of the oscillation.
 The equilibrium position is the resting point where the forces on the pendulum are balanced and there by
being no net force is causing motion.
4. Why should you keep the amplitude small?

 For smaller amplitude the approximates of the simple harmonic motion are closer this allows for
easier calculations as larger amplitudes can distort the simple harmonic motion.

5. What is meant by reaction time?

 The reaction time is the time taken for the indivigual to respond to a stimulus, it’s a measure of how
fast a person can perceive and respond to a stimulus.

6. How to minimize errors due to reaction time?

 By using the count down method, we can start on time or we can take multiple measurements then
find the average and lastly, we can use sensors to eliminate the need of humans to react.

7. State the relationship between length, l and periodic time, T for a simple pendulum.

 T is directly related to the square root of the length so if the length of the pendulum increases so does
the time period.
Date:

Lab #: 1

Syllabus Topic: Waves and Oscillation

AIM:

To investigate the oscillations of a chain of paper clips and develop an equation which relates the periodic time, T, of
a pendulum and the number of papers, n, in the chain.

APPARATUS/MATERIALS:

1. 25 paper clips
2. Retort stand
3. Clamp and boss
4. Cork with hook
5. Stop watch
6. Protractor

METHOD:

1. The cork was firmly clamped to the retort stand

2. A chain of n paper clips was attached to the hook as shown in figure 1 below [n = 25]
3. The chain was displaced from its equilibrium position at a small amplitude, Ɵ, until it reached a state where
the oscillation was smooth as shown in figure 2 below.
4. The time taken for 20 oscillations to cooccur was recorded and steps 3-4 were repeated for a second reading.
5. The number of paper clips, n, was varied between 25 to 5, (25 ≥ n ≥ 5), and steps 3-4 were repeated.

DIAGRAM:
RESULTS:

Number of paper Time120 / s ± 0.05 Time220 / s ± 0.05 Timeavg/ s ± 0.05 Period, T / s ± 0.05
clips / n
25 29.1 28.7 28.9 1.45
20 25.8 25.4 25.6 1.28
16 23.8 23.7 23.5 1.18
15 23.0 23.2 23.1 1.16
10 18.7 18.4 18.6 0.93
7 15.6 15.1 15.4 0.77
5 13.6 14.1 13.9 0.70

For this oscillator it is suggested that the quantities T and n are related by a simple power law of the form:

T = pnq.

1. Express this equation in the form y = mx + c

By taking logs to both sides:

 Log T = log p * log nq

 Log T = log p * q log n
 Log T = q log n * log p
 Log T = q log n + log p (using the product rule)
 Y =mx +c
 Y = Log T, M = q, x = log n, c = log p

2. Using the relation determine the appropriate graph to plot. (Log T vs Log n)

Parodic Time, T / s Log T Number of paper clips / n Log N

1.45 0.16 25 1.40
1.28 0.11 20 1.30
1.18 0.07 16 1.20
1.16 0.06 15 1.18
0.93 -0.03 10 1.00
0.77 -0.11 7 0.85
0.70 -0.15 5 0.70
3. Find the percentage uncertainty in the smallest and largest readings taken for t.
0.05 100
 × =¿ 0.17%
28.9 1
0.05 100
 × =¿ 0.36%
13.9 1

4. Find the percentage uncertainty in the smallest and largest readings taken for T.
0.05 100
 × =¿ 3.45%
1.45 1
0.05 100
 × =¿ 7.14%
0.70 1

5. Write an equation that related T and n.

 Log T = 0.44375 x Log n + (-0.463625)

6. Find either from the graph or the relationship, the periodic time when the number of paper clips, n is 35.

 Log T = 0.44375 x Log n + (-0.463625)

= 0.44375 x Log 35 + (-0.463625)

= 0.44375 x 1.544 + (-0.463625)

= 0.221525

 Log T = 0.221525

T = 100.221525

T = 1.68 s
7. A crane used for lifting loads to the top of a tall building supports a chain containing 700 links, as illustrated
in Figure 3.

i. Use the mathematical model proposed to calculate a value for the period of oscillation of this
chain

Let n = 700

Log T = 0.44375 x Log n + (-0.463625)

= 0.44375 x 2.85 + (-0.463625)
= 0.8014375

Log T = 0.8014375

T = 100.8014375

T = 6.33 s

ii. Suggest two (2) reasons why your answer to (i) may not be valid.

1. The answer may not be valid as the number of links increase so dose the mass and inertia
increases affecting the frequency of the oscillations.
2. Due to the more links the combined friction between the links and flexibility of the links adds
more forces that are not accounted for in the equation.
DISCUSSION:

In this experiment we observe that when the number of paper clips, n, increase so does the period of the, T,
there for we can infer that as the longer the chain becomes so dose the time taken for one oscillation to occur showing
that T and l are similar to the relationship between T and n. However, unlike the simple harmonic motion that the
simple pendulum experienced the pendulum made up of links (paper clips) experienced an irregular motion due to the
small movements between the links. Looking at the error’s values for t and T shows that as the length decreases the
less accurate the measurements become problem due to its lower mass leading to more unstable oscillations. This is
why we use 20 oscillations to keep the measurements precise and accurate by the elimination systematic errors due to
the instruments and the countdown method to eliminate random errors due to environmental factors. The experiment
can be improved by using technology such as sensors to detect exactly when one oscillation is completed.

ASSUMPTIONS:

1. The gravitational acceleration is constant throughout the experiments.

2. There is no air resistance or friction in the links.

LIMITATIONS:

1. The forces in the air may have affected the motion of the pendulum.
2.

CONCLUSTION:

It can be