FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES,

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

LABORATORY REPORT
PHY433

SESSION 2 2019/2020

Experiment Title: Simple Pendulum

Name of Students & Student ID:
1) Mohamad Amiruddin Bin Mohamed Zaini (2020978987)
2) Nur Irdina binti Mohamad Rizal (2020731555)
3) Khaliesya Hani binti Noor Hisham (2020977021)
Program: PHY 433
Group: AS251_D2
Date of Submission: 04/5/2020
Name of Lecturer: Dr. Siti Zafirah Bt Zainal Abidin
 a) TITLE

Simple pendulum

b) OBJECTIVE
1. To investigate the relationship between the period of a simple pendulum to its (a)
angular displacement, (b) mass of bob and (c) length
𝐿
2. To determine g from the first order approximation 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √𝑔

c) APPARATUS
1. Two pendulum bob with different mass
2. String
3. Meter ruler
4. Supporting rod (stand) and pendulum clamp
5. Stop watch

d) THEORY

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
greater 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 Analaysis of the Simple Pendulum

Consider the diagram of a simple pendulum shown in Figure 1. The displacement, arc
length x, for small angle  that the string makes with the vertical is given by:

𝑥 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 (1)

By applying the physics principles and mathematics, the equation for the period of a simple
pendulum oscillating in a single plane is given by:

𝐿 1 𝜃 9 𝜃
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ (1 + sin2 + sin4 +. . ) … … … … (2)
𝑔 4 2 64 2

Therefore, an approximation of equation (2) can be written as:

𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ (3)
𝑔

Where, L is the length of the pendulum measured to the centre of the spherical bob and g is
the acceleration due to gravity.

Note finally that the constant A in Equation (1) 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.
 e) PRE-LAB QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions and submit your group answers to the instructor.

1. What is a simple pendulum?

- A mechanical system that performs periodic motion which consists of a pendulum
bob of mass,m suspended by a light string of length,L which swings through an
angle,θ.

2. What are the physical parameters in the investigation of a simple pendulum? The term
parameter refers to anything in the physical system that can be measured.
- The physical parameters in the investigation of a simple pendulum are the angle at
which the pendulum bob is being dropped, the mass of the pendulum bob and the
length of the string to which the bob is being attached.

3. What is the period of a simple pendulum?

- It is the amount of time required for the pendulum to complete one single oscillation,
which is one full movement from its initial position to another and back to the original
position.

4. What is the difference between an independent variable and dependent variable?

Provide an example of each.
- An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific
experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. For example, the length of
the pendulum. While, a dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured
in a scientific experiment. The time period, T of the pendulum was the dependent
variable in this experiment.

5. How does the period of a pendulum vary theoretically with

(a) angular displacement, (b) mass of bob, and (c) length?
- Based on theoretical, the period of a pendulum should not be affected by the mass.
This is because the fact that the force of gravity will remain constant regardless of the
mass acting on it. Next, angle should also have a little impact on the period. This is
because eventhough the increase of the angle results in a further distance travelled for
 the pendulum, the bob will have a greater acceleration due to gravity at a higher
release angle. Moreover, the length of the string will also have quite more impact on
the period. This is because the distance travelled increasing while keeping the angle
constant cause of keeping the acceleration due to gravity constant. Therefore, the bob
will swing at the same speed as the distance to be travelled increases, thus increasing
the period required for a single oscillation.

6. How will you experimentally check the theoretical predictions in Question 5?

- To check the theoretical predictions in Question 5, several experiments must be
perform in which one of the parameters changes as a variable while the other two will
keep constant.

7. What is meant by small-angle approximation?

- The small angle approximation is meant by to simplify problems analytically.

8. What is meant when we say dependent variable y does not depend on independent
variable x? In other words, y is independent of x.
-

𝑥
9. If 𝑦 = 2𝜋√𝑘 and k is a constant, what graph should you plot so that you will get a

straight line and the value k could be determined from the gradient of the line?
𝐿
- The formula for the period of a pendulum is 𝑇 = 2𝜋√𝑔 where T is the period in

seconds and L is the length in meters. By squaring both sides of the equation the
4𝜋 2 𝐿
formula and it became as𝑇 2 = ( ). The relationship of T2 and L is that of direct
𝑔

proportionality. The relationship of T to L is not of direct proportionality. The slope

of the line in direct proportionality when graphed is constant and its graph is a straight
diagonal line.
f) PROCEDURE
1. First, both of the different pendulum bob was being weighed and recorded in meters.
2. Next, the smallest pendulum bob was attached to the thread.
3. Then, the length was set to 1m initially and being tied to the pendulum.
4. Fourth, the bob was displaced slightly to the side and then released. The time, t, was
noted for 20 oscillations by using a stopwatch.
5. After that, without interruption the oscillations, time, t2 for further 20 oscillations
were noted down.
6. The steps 1-4 were repeated. This is to obtain five more trials of readings each time
with length, L, decreased by 0.10 m
7. The period of the oscillations for each length by dividing the total time by the number
of oscillations, 20 was calculated. Then, the values were recorded in the appropriate
column in the data table.
8. The steps 2-5 were repeated with a heavier bob.
9. The length of the pendulum bob was changed to 2m. Then, by using the same mass of
the pendulum bob, the period of the pendulum was measured when it is displaced 5°,
10°, 15°, 20° and 25° from its equilibrium position.
10. A table was made and all the measurements were recorded.
11. Finally, a graph of T2 against L was plotted.
 g) RESULTS & ANALYSIS

Mass of lighter bob (kg) = 0.1kg

Trial Length Oscillations Time, t1 Time, t2 Average T (s) T2 (s)

Taken (m) (s) (s) t (s)
1 1.00 20 40.45 40.20 40.33 2.02 4.08
2 0.90 20 38.81 37.51 38.16 1.91 3.65
3 0.80 20 36.52 36.42 36.47 1.82 3.31
4 0.70 20 34.55 34.32 34.44 1.72 2.96
5 0.60 20 32.20 31.68 31.94 1.60 2.56
Table 1: Results for the lighter bob

Mass of heavier bob (kg) = 0.2kg

Trial Length Oscillations Time, t1 Time, t2 Average T (s) T2 (s)

Taken (m) (s) (s) t (s)
1 1.0 20 41.15 40.71 40.92 2.05 4.20
2 0.90 20 39.20 39.24 39.22 1.96 3.84
3 0.80 20 37.00 36.80 36.90 1.85 3.42
4 0.70 20 35.24 34.74 34.99 1.75 3.06
5 0.60 20 32.75 32.42 32.59 1.63 2.66
Table 2: Results for the heavier bob
Calculations:

- Pendulum bob with the length 0.70m with the lighter bob

t1=34.55s t2=34.32s

𝑡1 + 𝑡2
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡 =
2
34.55 + 34.25
=
2
= 34.44𝑠

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑, 𝑇 =
20 𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
34.44
=
20
= 1.72𝑠

𝑇 2 = 1.722
= 2.96𝑠

- Percent error for each pendulum with lighter bob:

𝐿
∴ 𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

1.0
𝑇1 = 2𝜋√ = 2.01𝑠
9.80

2.02 − 2.01
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100 = 0.5%
2.01

0.9
𝑇2 = 2𝜋√ = 1.90𝑠
9.80
 1.91 − 1.90
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100 = 0.53%
1.90

0.8
𝑇3 = 2𝜋√ = 1.80𝑠
9.80

1.82 − 1.80
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100 = 1.11%
1.80

0.7
𝑇4 = 2𝜋√ = 1.68𝑠
9.80

1.72 − 1.68
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
1.68
= 2.38%

0.6
𝑇5 = 2𝜋√ = 1.55𝑠
9.80

1.60 − 1.55
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
1.55

= 3.23%

- Percent error for each pendulum with heavier bob:

𝐿
∴ 𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

1.0
𝑇1 = 2𝜋√ = 2.01𝑠
9.80
 2.05 − 2.01
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100 = 1.99%
2.01

0.9
𝑇2 = 2𝜋√ = 1.90𝑠
9.80

1.96 − 1.90
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100 = 3.16%
1.90

0.8
𝑇3 = 2𝜋√ = 1.80𝑠
9.80

1.85 − 1.80
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100 = 2.78%
1.80

0.7
𝑇4 = 2𝜋√ = 1.68𝑠
9.80

1.75 − 1.68
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
1.68
= 4.17%

0.6
𝑇5 = 2𝜋√ = 1.55𝑠
9.80

1.63 − 1.55
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
1.55

= 5.16%

∴ 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 (1)
 4𝜋 2 𝐿
2
𝑇 = (2)
𝑔

- Comparing eq(1) and eq(2) :

4𝜋 2
∴ 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = (3)
𝑔

- From the graph of the lighter bob

(x1 , y1 )= (90, 3.65) (x2 , y2) =(60,2.56)

∆𝑦
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 =
∆𝑥
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1

(2.56 − 3.65)
=
(60 − 90) × 10−2

= 3.63𝑠 2 𝑚−1

4𝜋 2
∴ 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = (3)
𝑔
4𝜋 2
𝑔=
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡

4𝜋 2
𝑔= = 10.88𝑚𝑠 −2
3.63

- From the graph for the heavier bob

(x1 , y1 )= (90, 3.84) (x2 , y2)=(60, 2.66)

∆𝑦
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 =
∆𝑥
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
 (2.66 − 3.84)
=
(60 − 90) × 10−2

𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 3.93𝑠 2 𝑚−1

4𝜋 2
∴ 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = (3)
𝑔

4𝜋 2
𝑔= = 10.04𝑚𝑠 −2
3.93

4.5

3.5

3
Period, T2

2.5

T2
2
Linear (T2)
1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Length of the pendulum bob's string
- The percent error in the result and the theoretical result (lighter bob):

(10.88 − 9.88)
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = [ ] × 100%
9.88

= 10.12%

- The percent error in the result and the theoretical result (heavier bob):

(10.04 − 9.88)
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = [ ] × 100%
9.88

= 1.62%
Length of the pendulum string = 2.0 m
Mass of pendulum bob used for different angular displacement = 0.2 kg

Angular Displacement (°) Period, T (s)

5 2.839
10 2.846
15 2.851
20 2.865
25 2.877

Table 3: Results with different angular displacement

Calculations:

𝐿 1 𝜃 9 𝜃
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ (1 + sin2 + sin4 +. . ) … … … … (1)
𝑔 4 2 64 2

𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100%
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙

2 1 5 9 5
𝑇1 = 2𝜋√ (1 + sin2 + sin4 ) = 2.839𝑠
9.80 4 2 64 2

2.839 − 2.839
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100%
2.839
= 0.00%
 2 1 10 9 10
𝑇2 = 2𝜋√ (1 + sin2 + sin4 )
9.80 4 2 64 2

= 2.843𝑠

2.846 − 2.843
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100%
2.843
= 0.11%

2 1 15 9 15
𝑇3 = 2𝜋√ (1 + sin2 + sin4 )
9.80 4 2 64 2

= 2.849𝑠

2.851 − 2.849
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100%
2.849
= 0.07%

2 1 20 9 20
𝑇4 = 2𝜋√ (1 + sin2 + sin4 )
9.80 4 2 64 2

= 2.859𝑠

2.865 − 2.859
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100%
2.859
= 0.21%

2 1 25 9 25
𝑇5 = 2𝜋√ (1 + sin2 + sin4 )
9.80 4 2 64 2

= 2.87𝑠

2.877 − 2.87
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100%
2.87
= 0.24%
h) DISCUSSION

In this experiment we measured gravity for lighter bob which is 𝑔 = 10.88𝑚𝑠 −2 and for
heavier bob 𝑔 = 10.04𝑚𝑠 −2 . In the five trial we changed the length of the string which is
0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90 and 1.00 meter but the mass and angle of displacement was constant..
The measured periods became smaller as we decreased the length of the string for both
lighter and heavier bob. Percentage error was obtained from trial 1 to 5 for lighter bob which
is 0.5%, 0.53%, 1.11%, 2.38%, and 3.23% for trials 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Also,
percentage error was obtained from trial 1 to 5 for heavier bob which is 1.99%, 3.16%,
2.78%, 4.17%, and 5.16% for trials 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively

This means that the period change with the length of the string suggest that the period is
dependent on length. Period for each trial from lighter bob and heavy bob shown that have a
similar value even have a slightly different which suggests that period is independent of the
angle of the displacement and which suggests that the period is independent of the mass of
the object. From the result obtained the period does not depend on the initial angle of
displacement or the mass of the object hanging. The period in fact does depends on the length
of the string.

From the graph the slope was determined both for lighter and heavier bob. Slope for lighter
bob is 3.63s2m-1 from the value of slope, gravity was calculated which is 10.88ms-2 and
percentage error lighter bob based on graph is 10.12%. Slope from the graph for heavier bob
is 3.39s2m-1 and from the slope, gravity was calculated which is 10.04ms-2 and percentage
error heavier bob based on graph is 1.62%. Based on the result, it has slightly different
compared to standard atmospheric gravity which is 9.88ms-2 due to shifting all results by a
significant amount in same direction

Period for angular displacement 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 is2.839, 2.846, 2.851, 2.865 and 2.877
respectively. The result shown when angular displacement increase the period also will
increase. This is because displacement equation is known as the angular frequency. It is
related to the frequency of the motion, and inversely related to the period, the period is how
long it takes to make one oscillation.
i) CONCLUSION

After the experiment we can identify the relationship between the period of a simple
pendulum to its angular displacement, mass of bob and length in which period does not
depend on the initial angle of displacement or the mass of the object hanging. The period is
independent of the mass of the object in fact does depends on the length of the string. The
value calculated for acceleration due to gravity in this experiment is 10.88ms-2 for lighter bob
and 10.04ms-2 for heavier bob.

j) REFERENCES

(n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.aui.ma/personal/~PHYSICS/1400/experiments/experiment_2.htm

Aui. (n.d.). The Simple Pendulum. Retrieved from The Simple Pendulum:
http://www.aui.ma/personal/~PHYSICS/1400/experiments/experiment_2.htm

Bowm, W. (1990, October 6). NEWSCIENTIST. Retrieved from The physic of a dowsing
pendulum: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg12817373-200-science-the-
physic-of-a-downsing-pendulum/

Buddies, S. (2012, February 23). SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. Retrieved from Swinging with a
Pendulum: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-swinging-
pendulum/

Mann, A. (2014, July 25). WIRED. Retrieved from How a swinging Pendulum Proves the
Earth Rotates: https://www.wired.com/2014/05/wuwt-foucaults-pendulum/amp

Martin, N. R. (2019, October 27). Physic Libratext. Retrieved from Measuring g using a
pendulum:
https://phys.libratexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physic/Book%3A_Introductory_p
hysic

Parks, D. J. (2000, October 25). Retrieved from The Simple Pendulum:

http://www.phy.utk.edu/labs/simplependulum.pdf
k) POST LAB QUESTION

1. Is air resistance or friction a systematic or random source of error?

- Air resistance or friction is systematic because it always does the same thing to the length of
a period of a pendulum.

2. Would air resistance causes the period measured from the experiment larger or smaller
than the theoretical value?

- The period would be larger because when pendulum swings, drag force would exists so the
pendulum bob will be slowed by the medium as it travelled.

3. What would be the period of a simple pendulum of length 1.0m?

𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

1.0
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ = 2.0𝑠
9.81

4. What would be the period of a 1.0m length pendulum if it were oscillating on the
moon?(gmoon = 1/6 gearth)

𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

1.0
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ = 4.91𝑠
1
(6 𝑥9.81)