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Department of Physics
Laboratory Report :Experiment 2
Local Acceleration Due to
Gravity Using Pendulum
Name UGR Signature
Ahmed Gizachew UGR/8197/17
Amesyas Gashu UGR/1625/17
Ahmed Umer UGR/2019/17
Dagim Belete UGR/7551/17
Adisu Kumsa UGR/1107/17
Experiment date: 11/27/2024
Submission date:12/05/2024
Lab Instructor: Ato Mulalem Y.
Technical Assistant: Ato Bogale A.
Introduction
Gravity is something we experience every single day. However, bear in mind that we have never actually
focused on how exactly we are supposed to measure it. The term “gravity” is represented as ( g), but it is
important to note that it is not the exact same value across the globe. It might change ever so slightly
depending on where you are on the planet as well as the geography around you.
One of the most straightforward techniques to determine the value of (g) would have to be making use
of a pendulum device - a weight suspended from a cord that oscillates. Getting into the specifics, if you
have ever looked at a clock that has a pendulum, you have witnessed some form of motion of some
sort. To elaborate, a pendulum has a period, which is the time required to complete one full oscillation,
and that period will always be a function of the length of the string and the acceleration due to gravity.
In this experiment, we can apply formulae based on a simple pendulum to determine the value of ‘g’ in
our region. To put it in simple words, this is the purpose of the experiment – we will time how long the
pendulum takes to swing. From this, we can conclude ‘g’ or the gravitational force at that spot. It is an
easy method, but it is also a very interesting way of relating something we do in our daily life with the
theories that govern our nature.
Theory
A simple pendulum consists of a string on which a small weight, or bob, is attached, and its motion is
exhibited when a small force is applied to it. Such a pendulum, when oscillated at a small angle, describes
one of the forms of oscillatory movements known as **simple harmonic motion**.
The length of a pendulum is only one of the two parameters determining the period of oscillation that can
be described as singular swing of a pendulum and is denoted using the letter T. The other parameter is the
acceleration due to gravity, g. Both of these factors are related as follows:
[T = 2 π *(l/g)^ 0.5]
Where:
- T, is black period (time taken to perform one full oscillation)
- L, is length of the pendulum
- g, is the acceleration due to gravity
Using this data, we can calculate the value of g, based on the rearrangements made of the equation as
follows:
g = 4π²(l / T²)
In other words, if a pendulum with a known string length is made to oscillate, the time period taken for
the motion to complete in one full swing in turn gives the value of g towards the center of the earth.
Apparatus :
Equipment used Quantity
Mass(different sized bob)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2
String with manageable length _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1
Support ( stand and ceiling) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _1
Digital/Analog Stop watch _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _1
Meter stick _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1
Procedure/ Data Collection
I. We made sure that the ball is attached to the string accordingly
II. We made the initial length of the string to be 80cm and we consecutively increased the length
by 10 , for five consecutive time reaching the max of 120cm
III. For every length of the string we make sure to give it an estimated small distance of departure
IV. We let each length in which the ball is attached to swing for 10 consecutive or made sure to
count a 10-consecutive cycle.
V. We made sure to use our digital /Analog Stop Watch , to record the time of swinging
VI. By dividing the time that we got by 10, we found out the total time that it takes for making each
complete cycle
VII. We repeated the experiment by changing the small bob by the larger one using the same
process above.
Data
Measured Data of Table 1: mass 1(smaller mass)
Time T for
Time t of each
N0. trials Length(L)(m) T2 (s^2) g=4Π2L/T2 g-ĝ (g – ĝ)2
oscillation(s) oscillation
(s)
1 17.95 0.8
2 19.04 0.9
3 19.94 1
4 21.02 1.1
5 21.89 1.2
Average
Measured Data off Table 2: mass 2(larger mass)
Time T for
Time t of
Length(L)(m) each T2(s^2) g=4Π2L/T2 g-ĝ (g – ĝ)2
oscillation(s)
oscillation(s)
1 17.84 0.8
2 19.02 0.9
3 20.07 1
4 21.04 1.1
5 21.89 1.2
Data Analysis and Error Analysis
Calculation for data table 1( smaller mass)
First, we divided the total time oscillation by 10 for each trial , to find time for each oscillation
1) 17.95/2 =1.795s
2) 19.04/ 2=1.904s
3) 19.94 /2=1.994s
4) 21.02 /2=2.102s
5) 21.89 /2=2.189s
To find T^2 which is inquired in the formula that we are going to do next , we square the data
that we have from above
1. (1.795s)^2=3.222s^2
2. (1.904s)^2=3.62516s^2
3. (1.994s)^2=3.976036s^2
4. (2.102s)^2=3.976036s^2
5. (2.189s)^2=4.791721s^2
To find g , we used the following formula : g = 4π²(l / T²)
1) g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(0.80/3.222) = 9.7922
2) g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(0.90/3.62516) = 9.7901
3) g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(1.0/3.976036) = 9.91902
4) g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(1.1/3.976036) = 9.81853
5) g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(1.2/4.791721) = 9.86876635
To find the average we sum up the following and divide them by five
(9.7922+9.7901+9.91902+9.81853+ 9.86876635)/5 = 9.839479
To find the percentage uncertainty :
|actual value -measured value|/actual value *100%
=|9.81-9.839479|/9.81 * 100%
=0.3%
Calculation for data table 2 ( larger mass)
Again, here we divided the total time oscillation by 10 for each trial , to find time for each
oscillation
1. 17.84/10 = 1.784s
2. 19.02/10= 1.902s
3. 20.07/10= 2.007s
4. 21.04/10= 2.104s
5. 21.89/10= 2.189s
We are going to need the T^2 data for the formula that we are going to use so we squared the
data we found earlier;
1. (1.784s)^2 = 3.182657s^2
2. (1.902s)^2 = 3.617604s^2
3. (2.007s)^2 = 4.028049s^2
4. (2.104s)^2 = 4.426816s^2
5. (2.189s)^2 = 4.791721s^2
To find the value of g we applied the following formula : g = 4π²(l / T²)
1. g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(0.80/3.182657s^2) = 9.91330
2. g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(0.90/3.617604s^2) = 9.81162
3. g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(1.0/4.028049s^2) = 9.7909
4. g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(1.1/4.426816s^2) = 9.79999
5. g = 4π²(l / T²) = 4×(3.14)2×(1.2/4.791721s^2) = 9.8766
To find the average we sum up the above data and divide them by five as follows
(9.91330+9.81162+ 9.7909+ 9.79999+9.8766)/5
= 9.838464 m/s^2
To find the percentage Uncertainty :
|actual value -measured value|/actual value *100%
=|9.81-9.83464|/9.81 * 100%
=0.25%
Result and Discussions
Result for data table 1 ( smaller mass)
Result for data table 2 ( larger mass)
g vs Time Graph for data table one g vs T Graph for data table 2
Discussions
Think about how you would conduct this experiment with a pendulum and then start swinging it
back and forth to investigate why you are in a local region of a specific gravity. Sounds easy,
right? This is however quite a vague explanation and it gets a bit more complicated than that.
Once we hung up our esteemed pendulum bob, we started measuring the time intervals necessary
for completing a given number of swings. As a result, we were able to establish the relationship
which enabled us to derive the acceleration due to gravity, an equation that we had to put in
considerable effort and figuring it out:
[ g = (4π^2 L) / T^2 ]
So, with some working out and point measuring, we managed to measure the précised value of g
.
Naturally, no experiment is without oddities. There are, as reported earlier, temperature
variations, varying lengths of pendulums as well as the time taken for pendulums to respond due
to air pressure. In spite of these, we hung in there and succeeded in obtaining fairly close hits to
the accurate one
Looking ahead , we realized that the more trials that we do the more precise and accurate that we
would become, and it was fascinating that we were able to measure the gravity , when we just
used to know as a given value in our high school life ,.now doing it in actual /experimental
method .
Conclusion
During the course of this experiment we aimed to measure the local gravity acceleration through
the use of a simple pendulum g. Swings of the pendulum were timed for various lengths then the
values of g were computed, we approximately determined it to be [insert your experimental
value, e. g, 9.81 m/s²]. This is quite close to the standard value of 9.81m/s^2 which shows that
our method was effective.
Needless to say, there were some parameters which we think might have led to slight
experimental errors such as air resistance, very small timing errors and slight imperfections in
our setup. Regardless of these, the results demonstrate that a simple pendulum is an acceptable,
in fact, a very good system to use when wanting to introduce the concept of gravity.
This experiment not only assisted us in measuring gravity but showed us that simple instruments
coupled with keen observation can uncover the simple truths about the universe.
Post lab questions
1, what is the relation between period and the amplitude of the oscillations?
When the pendulum swings with a larger range how long its distance would be? Of course it
swings with larger speed since the force of gravity pulls it stronger the case is that the speed
gained is not quite enough to suffice for the longer distance. Hence, in a case where the amplitude
is large, the pendulum would take slightly longer than normal to complete one swing.
2,Does the change of mass affect the acceleration due to Gravity ?
An object's mass does not affect the way it is pulled by gravity. An object, irrespective of its
mass, is said to accelerate at the same rate under gravity's influence. This value is approximately
9.81 m/s² on our planet, Earth. This means, if you were to drop a hammer and a feather in a
vacuum such as on the Moon, they would reach the lunar surface at the same time.