Simple Pendulum Lab

Sagar Sood
IB Physics Yr.1 HL
Block E
Due: May 22, 09
Sagar Sood
IB Physics Yr. 1 HL
Block E
Due: May 22, 09
Introduction
A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so it can swing freely. When a

pendulum is displaced from its resting equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring
force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position. When
released, the restoring force will cause it to oscillate about the equilibrium position,
swinging back and forth. The time for one complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing,
is called the period.
In this experiment, the length of the string will be altered to see the affect on the
time period. With the collected and calculated values, the value of acceleration due to
gravity will be determined as gravity plays a vital role in the motion of the pendulum
(and the only force acting).
The bob has to travel more distance in the given time. As the length of the string
is being changed, it is the independent variable. This would affect the time period,
hence being the dependant variable. Factors like the mass of the bob (154.02g ±0.01g),
angle of release (45° ±1°), the stopwatch (±0.01s)
The main purpose of the experiment is to find one factor that affects the time
period of a simple pendulum. In this case, the factor is length of the string.
Hypothesis
As the length of the string decreases, the time period also decreases. This is
because, as the length of the string decreases, the bob has to travel less distance in the
same time (10 oscillations). And as there is less distance to cover in the same number
of oscillations, the velocity of the pendulum increases which hence decreases the time
period. This means that the length of the string is inversely proportional to the time
period.
Length of string (l) ~ 1

Time period (T)
Design
Materials Required
♣ Weighing Scale(±0.01g)
♣ Lab Stand
♣ Meter Stick (±0.001m)
♣ Stopwatch (±0.01s)
♣ String
♣ Bob (154.02g ±0.01g)
♣ Protractor (±1°)
Procedure
1. After all the materials are acquired, set up the apparatus as below:
2. Set the bob till 45 degrees mark (as precisely as possible) and then leave it.
3. As soon as it is left, start the stopwatch and record the time for ten oscillations
4. Repeat the steps 2 and three two more times without changing the length in
order to get three trials
5. Now, decrease the length of the string and repeat the steps 2, 3 and 4
6. Record 8 data points with three trials each.
Data Table
The data table below shows the raw data collected which includes the decreases in the
length of the string and the time trials for ten oscillations
Length of Time for 10 oscillations (s) Average time

string (m) (s)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
0.535 15.12 15.24 15.19 15.18 ± 0.06

0.502 14.69 14.53 14.81 14.68 ± 0.14
0.435 13.84 14.32 14.07 14.08 ± 0.39
0.365 12.62 12.44 12.53 12.53 ± 0.09
0.317 11.89 11.90 11.72 11.84 ± 0.09
0.235 10.59 10.43 10.56 10.53 ± 0.08
0.165 9.19 9.12 9.15 9.15 ± 0.03
0.125 8.41 8.09 7.97 8.16 ± 0.22
± 0.001m ±0.01s ±0.1s
The table below shows the values of the calculated data that includes the time period
(time for one oscillation) which further gives us the acceleration due to gravity.
Average Time Time Period Acceleration due to

(s) (s) Gravity (ms-2)
15.18 1.52 9.14 ± 1
14.68 1.47 9.17 ± 1
14.08 1.41 8.64 ± 1
12.53 1.25 9.22 ± 1
11.84 1.18 8.99 ± 2
10.53 1.05 8.42 ± 2
9.15 0.92 7.70 ± 1
8.16 0.82 7.34 ± 2
±0.1s ±0.1s ± 1ms-2
Data Processing
Average Time (s) = Trial 1 + Trial 2 + Trial 3

3
= 15.12 + 15.24 + 15.19

3
= 15.18 s
Uncertainty for Average = (Highest value – Lowest value)
2
= (15.24 – 15.12)
2
= ±0.06s
Time for one oscillation = Time for 10 oscillation

10
= 15.18
10
= 1.52 s
T=
g = 4π2 l
T2
= 4π2(0.535)
(1.52) 2
= 9.14 ms-2
Uncertainty of gravity:
(Uncertainty 1) + (Uncertainty 2) X 100

(Value 1) (Value 2)
0.2 + 0.001 X 100

1.52 0.535
= 9.14 ms-2 ±13.3 %
= 13.3 X 9.14
100
= ±1.21562
= 9.14 ms-2 ± 1 ms-2

Average of Gravity = 9.14 + 9.17 + 8.64 + 9.22 + 8.99 + 8.42 + 7.70 + 7.34
8
= 8.56 ms-2
Average of uncertainties = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2
8
= 1.375
= ± 1 ms-2
= 8.56 ± 1 ms-2
Percent Error = Theoretical Value – Calculated Value X 100

Theoretical Value
= 9.81 – 8.56 X 100

9.81
= 12.7 % Error
Conclusion
Overall, the experiment was carried out with minimum errors and was followed
according to the given procedure. There were eight data points with three trials each.
The investigation was related to the determination of one factor that affects the motion
of a simple pendulum followed by the determination of the value of gravity. As it can be
seen from the data table and the graph that the value for gravity was calculated to be
8.56 ms-2 ± 1 ms-2. Furthermore, the percent error was calculated to be 12.7 %.
In my experiment, the one factor that affected the motion of the simple pendulum was
length of the string. As the length of the string was decreased, the time period also
decreased. This is because the velocity increased as the bob had to cover less distance
in the given time. Hence, this proves my hypothesis correct
Evaluation
The percent error was calculated to be 12.7 %. This shows that there were some
errors/flaws in my experiment. Firstly, when the pendulum was oscillating, because of its
momentum, the whole stand was shaking. This irregular movement of the stand affected
the motion of the pendulum as it did not have the same amplitude throughout hence
affecting the time period. Another error was that when the length of the string was
decreased, the string was not cut and then fitted but was rounded to the top. This
altered the values of my data as it affected the angle of release, which was supposed to
be kept constant. To avoid such mistakes/flaws, the following measures should be
taken.
Self Improvement
In order to avoid the above errors/flaws, a number of precaution steps can be

taken. Firstly, the string should never be rounded to the top. After each data point, the
string should be removed, measured to the required length using a meter stick and then
cut using scissors. This avoids a big error in the experiment. Secondly, it is very
important that the stand remains stationary. To do so, extra weight should be put on the
bottom but it is also important that this weight is not touching any part of the pendulum.

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What is the purpose of the experiment?

What variable is being tested in the experiment?

Sagar Sood

A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so it can swing freely. When a

Length of string (l) ~ 1

Length of Time for 10 oscillations (s) Average time

0.535 15.12 15.24 15.19 15.18 ± 0.06

Average Time Time Period Acceleration due to

Average Time (s) = Trial 1 + Trial 2 + Trial 3

= 15.12 + 15.24 + 15.19

Time for one oscillation = Time for 10 oscillation

(Uncertainty 1) + (Uncertainty 2) X 100

0.2 + 0.001 X 100

= 9.14 ms-2 ±13.3 %

= 9.14 ms-2 ± 1 ms-2

Percent Error = Theoretical Value – Calculated Value X 100

= 9.81 – 8.56 X 100

In order to avoid the above errors/flaws, a number of precaution steps can be

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