Virtual Experiments Physics I

EXPERIMENT 12 SIMPLE PENDULUM

OBJECTIVE
● Apply the scientific method to theoretical prediction to check their validity.
● Understand how physical parameters are varied so as to investigate theoretical predictions.
● Appreciate the use of approximation to facilitate investigation and analysis.
● Use the period of a simple pendulum to investigate the gravitational acceleration.

THEORY AND PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES

Period of the simple pendulum is given by following equation and T is period (time for one complete
oscillation), L is length of the string (measured from top-contact point to the middle of the mass attached)

and q is the angular displacement.

𝑇 = 2𝜋 Mmm
1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 + ⋯ … … … . . (1)

Will use the approximation with only first two terms as follows:
𝑇 = 2𝜋 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2)

When the angular displacement is small (about 20 degrees or less), about series expansion can be
reduced into following:
𝑇 = 2𝜋 (3)

Period of the simple pendulum can be predicted by using above theoretical formulas. Also, by measuring
period and length of the pendulum, one can calculate gravitational acceleration in the location by
manipulating above equation (3),

𝑔= (4)

Gravitational acceleration also can be found by using a graphical method.

𝑇 = 2𝜋 (5)

𝑇 = 𝐿 (6)

By using the slope of the graph of T2 vs L,

𝑔= (7)

∑
Period average, 𝑇 = (8)

∑𝑁
𝑖 𝑇−𝑇
Mean deviation of average period of oscillation, 𝛿 𝑇 = 𝑁
(9)

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Virtual Experiments Physics I
APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE
● This experiment is done with the following simulation:
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/pendulum-lab

Figure 1 Simple pendulum simulation (Picture credit, https://phet.colorado.edu)

Part A: Investigation of small angle approximation
● Measure time for 5 periods of oscillations by using a stopwatch as a function of angle.
● Calculate period by using theoretical equations (1) and (2).
● Compare the results by calculating percent error.

Part B: Investigation of Period of Oscillation with changing Mass

● Use 100 angle and fixed length (L) for this part of the experiment.
● Measure time for 5 periods of oscillations by using stopwatch as a function mass.
● Compare the results by calculating percent error.

Part C: Investigation of Length effect and calculate gravitational constant

● Use 100 angle and fixed mass (M) for this part of the experiment.
● Measure time for 5 periods of oscillations by using stopwatch as a function length.
● Make a graph of T vs L and fit with a 2nd order polynomial.
● Explain the behavior of this graph in the report.
● Make a graph of T2 vs L and do the linear fitting.
● Explain the behavior of this graph in the report.
● Calculate experimental gravitation constant by using equation-4 (use measured values of T and L)
● Calculate average value for experimentally calculated gravitational constant, 𝑔 _ .
● Find the gravitational constant (gslope) by using the slope of the graph of T2 vs L?

PRE LAB QUESTIONS

1) Period of the simple pendulum depends on what physical quantities?
2) What is the effect of mass attached to the period of the pendulum?
3) If you shorten the length of the pendulum what will happen to the period?
4) Give the locations of the motion of the pendulum with respect to following conditions,
a) Maximum displacement?
b) Maximum velocity?
c) Maximum acceleration?

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 Virtual Experiments Physics I
DATA TABLES AND ANALYSIS
Data tables, calculations and graphs must be done in excel. All the excel functions should be added below
each table in the lab report.
Part A: Investigation of small angle approximation
±
?

gg!y
Mass = Length =
1kg ✗ 100%
Table 1 Analysis of period of oscillation with changing angle
ya
Angle PD PD PD
Time for Period Period Period
Tcal-1 & Texp & Texp &
q 5 Osci. Texp Tcal-1 Tcal-2
Tcal-2 Tcal-1 Tcal-2

Tea -21T¥
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] [ ]
, 50 8.31s 1.66 1.68 1.2%
100 8. 1751.63 1.68 3.02%
200 8.24s 1.65 1.68 1.8%
300

400

500

600

Part B: Investigation of Period of Oscillation and Mass

Angle = q = 10° Length = L = 0.7m

Table 2 Analysis of period of oscillation with changing mass

PD
Mass Time for 5 Period Period
Texp &
[ ] Oscillations Texp Tcal-2
Tcal-2
[ ] [ ] [ ]
Time fososcilat [ ]
Tex
=

5009 8.23s 1.65 1.68 1.8%

5 6009 8.235 1.65 1.68 1.8%
7009 8.345 1.67 1.68 1.19%
Tca ,
=

21T¥ g
800g 8.19s 1.64
avg 1.65
__
1.68 2.41%

% error =

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 Virtual Experiments Physics I

Part C: Investigation of Length effect and calculate gravitational constant

Angle = q =
10° Mass = M = 500g
Table 3 Analysis of period of oscillation with changing length

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4

Length
5 Osci. T1 5 Osci. T2 5 Osci T3 5 Osci. T4
[ ]

?m
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
6.865 1.37 6.905 1.386.905 1.38
'

0.5m 6.835 1.37

0 7.65s 1.53 7.52s 1.50 7.62s 1.52 7.725 1.54
0.7M 8.315 1.66 8.295 1.66 8.205 1.64 8.305 1.66
0.8M 8.795 1.76 8.79s 1.768.795 1.76 8-845 1.77
0.9M 9.275 1.85 9.355 1.879-4851.90 9.255 1.85
1. 0M 9-9051.98 9-835 1.979.855 1.979.885 1.98

-
seas
Ñ#
Table 4 Investigation of gravitational acceleration

↳ loops

.:¥÷
Average PD
Mean Gravitational
Length Period
deviation constant,
9.81 2 terror __

y2
L m/s2 & T exp
T exp 𝛿𝑇 gexp
[m ]
[ ] [ ] [ ]
[
gexp
]
[ ]
G-hear
0.5m 1.38
0 -6M I. 52 2.31 ↑
0.7M 1.66 4

0.8M 1.76 3. I 9. 8m62

& 0.9M 1.89 9.4 3.57

=4→1%
3. 92

411-2
gTope=%Ép ● Find PD for followings:
a) PD for 𝑔 _
b) PD for 𝑔 _
vs g = 9.81 m/s2
vs gslope
c) PD for gslope vs g = 9.81 m/s2
slope (0.612.3/710.913.57)=4.2

Virtual Teaching
9exp=4 -4%4.2=9.4 v2
2 4

gh={ ✓