#22 Gutierrez, Heather Abigail G.

GROUP 4 – 2CMT
#23 Hagiwara, Kazuhiro L. Mr. Erikson Tio
#24 Javier, Christopher Bernard DLR. Mr. Xandro Nieto
#25 Labajo, Alyssa Marie F.
#26 Lansangan, Arlene P.
#27 Lopez, Allan Jay DR.

Experiment #5
The Simple Pendulum

ABSTRACT

The objective of the experiment is to determine the factors that affect the period of a pendulum and to
measure the value of the acceleration due to gravity by use of a simple pendulum.

The experiment on simple pendulum was divided into three parts. In the first part of experiment, the
influence of the amplitude was tested if there would be an effect on the period of the pendulum. The
group prepared a set-up of a simple pendulum using a string with a length of 120 cm and was measured
from the point of suspension to the center of the bob. The pendulum was displaced at certain angles
(5°, 10°, and 15°) and was released. With the use of stopwatch, the group recorded the time it took
the pendulum to complete 20 vibrations per trial.

In the second part of the experiment, the effect of the mass of bob on period was tested using three (3)
weighed metal bobs of different masses. Given the amplitude was 5 ° from the vertical position and
using the same length (120cm) of the pendulum; the pendulum was displaced and released . The group
measured the time it took for the pendulum to complete 20 vibrations per trial.

In the last part of the experiment, the effect of length of the pendulum on the period was tested.
Varying lengths (120cm, 90cm, 60cm, and 30cm) of pendulum were used to oscillate on the amplitude
of 15° from the vertical position, and the group was tasked to record the time it took the pendulum to
complete 20 vibrations. With the use of standard value of acceleration due to gravity (980 cm/s ²), the
period, square of period, experimental acceleration due to gravity and the percentage error for each
trial were able to attain.

GUIDE QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. Based on your graph, what relationship exists between the length of a pendulum and the square
of its period?

The relationship exists between the length of a pendulum and the square of its period is directly
proportional. Thus, the longer the length of the pendulum, the longer the period will occur.

2. What are the factors affecting the period of a simple pendulum?

 In a simple pendulum, the only factors that affect the period of a pendulum are its length and
the acceleration due to gravity. As the pendulum undergoing simple harmonic motion, the
period of oscillation is given by the equation:

The period depends on the length of the pendulum directly. As the length gets larger, so will the
period. On the other hand, as the gravity gets bigger, the period will get shorter. If gravity is
larger, the pendulum falls faster.

3. What must you do to the length of a simple pendulum so that its period is doubled?

In order for a period of a simple pendulum to be doubled, make the length of the pendulum
longer or increase the length of the pendulum.

4. Determine the acceleration due to gravity in a location where a simple pendulum 1.5 m long
makes 100 vibrations in 246 sec.

GIVEN:
Length: 1.5m
Vibrations: 100 vib.
Time: 246 sec.
Period: 246 sec ÷ 100 vib = 2.46 sec per vib
Acceleration due to gravity = ?

FORMULA:

Wherein:
T = period
L = length of pendulum
g= acceleration due to gravity

g= (4π² x l) ÷ T²
g = (4 π² x 1.5 m) ÷ (2.46 sec) ²
g= 9.785449535 m/s²
g = 9.8 m/s²