EXPERIMENT 9
THE SIMPLE PENDULUM
INTRODUCTION
The simple pendulum offers a method of measuring the constant acceleration due to gravity
very precisely. The object of this experiment is to study simple harmonic motion of the simple
pendulum and to measure the acceleration of gravity g.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
A simple pendulum is defined, ideally, as a particle suspended by a weightless string.
Practically it consists of a small body, usually a sphere, suspended by a string whose mass is
negligible in comparison with that of the sphere and whose length is very much grater than the radius
of the sphere. Under these conditions, the mass of the system may be considered as concentrated
at a point -namely, the center of the sphere- and the problem may be handled by considering the
transitional motion of the suspended body, commonly called “bob,” along a circular arc.
Figure 1: Diagram Analysis of the Simple Pendulum.
Consider the diagram of a simple pendulum shown in Figure 1. In its equilibrium position the
bob is at the point A vertically below the point of support O. In this position the downward pull of
gravity w is counteracted by the upward pull p of the cord. When the bob is displaced to some point
B, the weight w=mg may be resolved into two components. One n normal to the arc AB which is
counteracted by the pull p of the string, and a force f tangent to the arc that tends to restore the
pendulum to its equilibrium position. The greater the displacement, the greater is this component f
and the less the force p in the string, as can be seen by comparing positions B and C. Thus the bob
is subjected to a translational force f which increases with the displacement and always tends to
reduce the displacement.
When the pendulum is released from a given displacement, it moves with increasing velocity
toward its equilibrium position, acquiring thereby momentum that carries it through the neutral
position and produces a negative displacement. It should be noted here that the choice of positive
and negative directions is purely arbitrary. It is convenient, although not necessary, to call
displacements to the right positive and those to the left negative. Neglecting the effect of friction,
the maximum negative displacement will be equal exactly to the initial positive displacement. When
the point B’ is reached, the restoring force causes a reversal of the motion and the bob returns to B.
This to-and-fro motion of a pendulum is called “vibratory”, or “oscillatory”, motion.
The translational force f is equal to mg*sin (,) as apparent from the vector diagram in Figure
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1, where is the angle the string makes with the vertical at the instant shown. Note that if angle
is small, sin is very nearly equal to the displacement, arc length x, divided by the string length l,
sin = x/l.
mg
f x ( Eq. 1)
l
Thus, if the amplitude of vibration is small; the resultant force on the ball is at all times
proportional to the displacement x as required for simple harmonic motion. Now, from Newton’s
second law of motion, we know that:
d² x mg
f ma m x (Eq. 2)
d t² l
A solution of Equation (2) requires that the second derivative of x be proportional to the
negative to x. Either the sine or cosine of some function of time will satisfy this requirement, we
choose a solution of the form:
x A sin t (Eq. 3)
Where
mg
f x (Eq. 4)
l
is the angular velocity. The period of vibration is the time required for it to go through one cycle (i.e.,
the time for pendulum to move from any point on its path back to the same point with motion in the
same direction), and is related to by the relation T = 2/.
l
T 2 (Eq. 5)
g
Note finally that the constant A in Equation (3) is the amplitude of the motion which measures
how far the bob swings away from the vertical -the maximum value of the displacement. This is
conveniently expressed as an angle in degrees.
THE EXPERIMENT:
After you read the preceding material, you may notice that among the factors that might affect
the period of a simple pendulum are the mass of the pendulum, the length of the pendulum, and the
amplitude of its swing. We shall confine our attention to these as they are easy to control
experimentally.
If we are to investigate the effect of any one of these variables on the period of the pendulum,
the remaining variables must be controlled (i.e., they must not be allowed to change during the
experiment). Suppose we start with an investigation of the effect of length upon the period. This
means that we choose a pendulum of fixed mass, allow it to swing always through angles of the
same amplitude, and observe changes in the period due to changes in the length of the pendulum.
1. EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS:
The experimental apparatus consists of rods, clamps, pendulum bobs, string, metric ruler, stop
watch, protector, electronic balance, computer, the LabPro interface, LoggerPro program and the
Motion Detector.
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
A. Effect of changing length on the pendulum period:
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Prepare a pendulum about 1 m long.
Position the Ultrasonic Motion Detector so that it monitors the motion of the pendulum.
Remember that the pendulum must be placed at more than 0.5 m distance away from the
motion detector.
Use the computer to measure the position of the ball versus time. To do this make sure the motion sensor is
plugged into the Lab Pro device and the Lab Pro’s USB cable is plugged into the computer.
Open Logger Pro using the icon on the desktop.
Logger Pro should automatically recognize the sensors, if it doesn’t:
Click on LabPro icon, a window will open with a picture of the LabPro. Select the Dig/Sonic 1 box in the
upper right hand corner and choose the Motion Detector
You can close the LabPro window now.
Give the mass a small displacement from equilibrium (around 5 degrees), let it swing within the
range of the motion detector, and click the Collect button to start the data collection. Make sure
that the time period for data collection is long enough to accommodate at least ten periods (use
the timer icon) of the pendulum swing.
Repeat this step until you obtain a good data set.
While you are taking these computerized data acquisitions, you should use the provided stop-
watch to measure the time for the ten periods of the pendulum oscillations. This period can be
determined with greater accuracy if the time to make a large number of cycles (say 10) is noted
and the period calculated by dividing the total time by the number of cycles.
Record the mass, amplitude, length, and period of the pendulum in Data Table 1.
Decrease the length of the pendulum by about 15 cm and determine the period in the same
manner, and record the results in data Table I.
Repeat the measurement for total 5 lengths of the pendulum, the last length should be about 20
cm, and record the results in data Table I.
Remember that both the mass and the amplitude must remain the same throughout this
series of observations.
B. Effect of changing mass on the pendulum period:
Prepare a pendulum about 75 cm length.
Change the mass while holding the length and the amplitude constant. Displace the mass at a
small angle (around 5 degrees).
Use the stop-watch to measure the time for the ten periods of the pendulum oscillations.
Record the period of oscillation in data table II.
Repeat the same procedure for three different masses, and report the results in data table II.
C. Effect of changing amplitude on the pendulum period:
Prepare a pendulum about 75 cm length.
Change the amplitude while holding the length and the mass constant. To start displace the mass
at a small angle (around 5 degrees).
Use the stop-watch to measure the time for the ten periods of the pendulum oscillations.
Record the period of oscillation in data table III.
DATA ANALYSIS:
Using the data collected in Table I, prepare a graph of the period versus the length of the
pendulum.
What does this graph tell you about the relationship between length and the period?
On the same sheet of graph paper, plot a graph of T² versus L (This required a different vertical
scale since a different quantity is being plotted). To avoid the confusion, place the new scale
along the right margin of the graph paper.
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What is the form of this graph? Explain the relationship between the length and the period.
Summarise the results of your three experiments. Examine your data and graphs carefully before
writing.
Using graphs of T² vrs. L, calculate the experimental value of g by comparing the slope of the
graph with equation 5.
Show your calculation on the worksheet. Compare your calculated g value to the theoretical
value of 9.8 m/s².
Equation (3) describes the motion of the bob for a simple pendulum undergoing simple harmonic
motion (vibrating with small amplitude). From the plotter graph windows describe the motion of
the pendulum bob, and explain if you happen to see the effect of friction on this motion.
QUESTIONS:
1- Identify variables other than those investigate in this experiment which might affect the period of
pendulum.
2- Many clocks are regulated by the swinging of o pendulum. Most materials expand when heated.
Would this cause a pendulum clock to run fast or slow on a hot summer day? Explain your
reasoning?
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PHY 1401 LABORATORY REPORT
EXPERIMENT 9
THE SIMPLE PENDULUM
NAME: _____________________________ DATE: ______________________________
SECTION: __________________________
THIS PAGE NEEDS TO BE DONE AT HOME BEFORE COMING TO THE LAB. SESSION
1. EXPERIMENTAL PURPOSE:
State the purpose of the experiment (5 points )
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES AND APPARATUS: (5 points )
Briefly outline the apparatus
General procedures adopted.
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3. DATA and ANALYSIS:
TABLE 1: (10 points)
Length, L Time for 10 cycles Period, T T²
Logger Pro Stop watch Logger Pro Stop Logger Pro Stop watch
watch
TABLE 2: (10 points) TABLE 3 (10 points):
Mass (Kg) Time for 10 T (s) Amplitude (°) Time for 10 T (s)
oscillations oscillations
Table 2 and 3 : T vs. Amplitude and T vs Mass
Discussion of first graph: (5 points)
Summary of second graph: (5 points)
Summary of three experiments: (10 points)
Description of the pendulum bob movement using the data graph windows: (5 points)
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Calculations of “g”: (5 points)
Comparison between theoretical value and experimental result of “g”, Percent error: (5
point)
Attach MPLI plotter graph windows and analysis(10 points).
CONCLUSIONS: (10 points)
QUESTIONS: (5 points)
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