simple pendulum
NAME: RESHMA KEERTHANA M
CLASS: XII-B
[Link] INDEX PAGE NO
1. INTRODUCTION 1-3
2. MATERIALS 4
3. PROCEDURE 5-7
UNDERSTANDING
4. 8
THE WORKING
PRACTICAL
5. 9-10
APPLICATION
6. SAMPLE RESULT 11
7. CALCULATIONS 12
8. FORMULA 12-13
9. CONCLUSION 14
BUILDING A SIMPLE PENDULUM
WORKING MODEL:-
Materials:-
• Clamp Stand or a sturdy support.
• Heavy metallic spherical bob with a hook
(representing the point mass).
• Cotton thread (inextensible and strong).
• Split Cork (to hold the thread).
• Stopwatch or timer.
• Meter Scale or ruler.
• Optional: Vernier calipers (for more accurate
measurements of the bob's diameter).
• Optional: Protractor (to ensure the same release
angle).
Procedure:-
▪ Set up the support: Place the clamp stand on a stable
surface (like a table). Ensure it's secure and won't
wobble during the experiment.
▪ Attach the thread and bob: Tie the thread securely to
the hook of the pendulum bob.
▪ Suspend the pendulum: Pass the free end of the
thread through the split cork.
▪ Secure the suspension point: Clamp the split cork
firmly onto the stand, ensuring the thread is held
tightly and the line of separation between the cork
pieces is perpendicular to the pendulum's intended
swing path.
▪ Adjust the length: The length of the pendulum is the
distance from the point of suspension (where the
thread emerges from the cork) to the center of gravity
of the bob. Adjust the thread's length to a desired
value (e.g., 80 cm).
▪ Mark the equilibrium position: Let the pendulum
hang freely to find its resting position. Mark a point
(let's call it A) on the table or floor directly beneath the
center of the bob.
▪ Prepare for oscillation: Gently displace the bob to one
side, ensuring the displacement angle is small
(ideally less than 15°) to ensure near simple harmonic
motion.
▪ Initiate and time the oscillation: Release the bob
smoothly and start the stopwatch simultaneously as it
crosses the equilibrium position (point A) moving in
one direction.
▪ Count oscillations: Count the number of complete
oscillations. One complete oscillation occurs when the
bob returns to its starting point, having passed
through the equilibrium position twice. For example,
count 20 oscillations.
▪ Stop the stopwatch: Stop the stopwatch immediately
when the 20th oscillation is completed (when the bob
crosses the equilibrium position for the 20th time in
the same direction it started).
▪ Record the time: Note down the time taken for 20
oscillations.
▪ Calculate the period: Divide the total time by the
number of oscillations (e.g., time for 20 oscillations /
20) to find the time period (T) for one oscillation.
▪ Repeat for different lengths: Repeat steps 5-12 with
different pendulum lengths (e.g., 90 cm, 100 cm, 110
cm, etc.) to investigate the relationship between
length and time period.
▪ Repeat trials for accuracy: For each length, repeat the
timing process multiple times (at least three) and
calculate the average time to minimize random errors.
▪ Optional: Plot a graph: Plot a graph with the length of
the pendulum (L) on the x-axis and the square of the
time period (T²) on the y-axis. You should obtain a
straight line, confirming the relationship T² ∝ L.
Understanding the working:-
✓ When the bob is displaced from its equilibrium position and
released, gravity acts as a restoring force, constantly pulling it back
towards the center.
✓ As the bob swings back and forth, it oscillates, demonstrating
periodic motion.
✓ The time taken for one complete oscillation is known as the time
period (T).
✓ The formula for the time period of a simple pendulum, for small
oscillations, is: T = 2π√(L/g)
✓ Where L is the effective length of the pendulum (length of the
thread + radius of the bob + length of the hook, if applicable).
✓ And g is the acceleration due to gravity.
✓ This relationship reveals that the period of a simple pendulum is
primarily dependent on its length and the acceleration due to
gravity. It's nearly independent of the bob's mass and the
amplitude (for small angles).
Practical applications:-
Simple pendulums are not just for
experiments; they have real-world
applications in various devices:
⁃ Pendulum Clocks: Pendulums provide the regulating
mechanism in many traditional clocks, maintaining a
consistent beat for accurate timekeeping.
⁃ Metronomes: Musicians use metronomes to set and
maintain tempo, with the pendulum's swing
indicating the beat.
⁃ Seismometers: These instruments, used for detecting
earthquakes and studying ground motion, often
incorporate pendulum mechanisms.
⁃ Amusement Park Rides: Rides like the "pirate ship"
utilize pendulum principles to create thrilling swings.
By building this simple pendulum working model
and experimenting with it, you can gain a deeper
understanding of these fundamental physics
principles. A simple pendulum demonstrates the
principles of oscillaton and the effect of gravity.
Sample results (Illustrative):-
content:
Len Time Time for Time Aver Tim T²
gth for 20 20 for 20 age e (s²)
(L) oscillati oscillati oscillati time Per
(cm ons (t) ons (t) ons (t) (t_a iod
) (s) (Trial (s) (Trial (s) (Trial vg) (T)
1) 2) 3) (s) (s)
80 36.5 36.3 36.6 36.4 1.8 3.3
7 2 1
90 38.4 38.6 38.5 38.5 1.9 3.7
3 2
100 40.2 40.0 40.1 40.1 2.0 4.0
1 4
110 42.1 42.3 42.0 42.1 2.1 4.4
3 1 5
Calculation of acceleration due to gravity
(g):-
The time period (T) of a simple pendulum is given by the
formula:
T = 2π√(L/g)
Where:-
• T = time period in seconds
• L = effective length in meters
• g = acceleration due to gravity in m/s²
Rearranging the formula to solve for 'g',
we get:-
g = (4π²L) / T²
By calculating the slope of the L vs. T² graph (which should
be a straight line), you can determine a value related to g. The
slope (m) of the L vs T² graph is T²/L. Since T² = (4π²/g)L, the
slope m = 4π²/g
Therefore:
g = 4π²/m
By substituting the value of the slope from your graph, you
can determine an experimental value for the acceleration due to
gravity. Ideally, your calculated value for 'g' should be
close to the accepted value of 9.8 m/s².
Conclusion:-
The simple pendulum experiment demonstrates the
relationship between the period of oscillation, the length of the
pendulum, and the acceleration due to gravity. The straight-
line graph of L versus T² supports the theoretical relationship T²
∝ L, where the slope of the graph can be used to determine the
value of 'g'. The simplicity of this experiment and its
relationship to a fundamental constant of nature (g) make it a
valuable tool for understanding oscillatory motion.