Experiment X:

VERTICAL PENDULUM
Objective:
To find how the frequency of oscillation of a vertical
pendulum varies as the mass on its end varies.

APPARATUS:

• Clampstand
• Assorted 100 g masses
• Spring
• Goggles
• Metre Rule
• Stopwatch

SAFETY

Ensure that the mass does not fall onto feet.

Ensure mass does not bounce upwards into face.

Goggles must be worn.

Do not place your face above or below the oscillating system.

PROCEDURE

1. Clamp the spring in the teeth of the clamp. Clamp the whole set-up to the
edge of the bench.

2. Set the mass vibrating vertically and see if you can count the oscillations.

3. Slow the oscillations down by adding additional masses.

4. Measure the time for ten complete oscillations and then work out the time
for one oscillation.

5. From this, calculate the frequency of the vibrations.

 Experiment X: VERTICAL PENDULUM

Statement:

The spring will be suspended in the teeth of the clamp. The apparatus will be
clamped to the edge of the bench.

The mass will be set to vibrate vertically. The oscillations will be counted.

The oscillations will be slowed down by adding additional masses.

The time for ten complete oscillations will be measured, and then the time for
one oscillation will be worked out.

From this, the frequency of the vibrations will be calculated.

Table of results:

Time for 10 Time for 1

Mass (g) Frequency (Hz)
oscillations (s) oscillation (s)

Once the time for one oscillation was calculated, this value could then be
used to calculate the frequency. The time for one oscillation is the time
period, T, and this is linked to the frequency, f, by this equation:

1
T =
f

It was felt that more accurate results could have been obtained by using
masses which had a heavier range – this would allow for slower oscillations,
and would make counting the oscillations easier.