A simple pendulum consists of an object, The formula above can be manipulated

usually a metal bob that is hanging from a fixed to give the formula for the acceleration due to
support by an inelastic string. In its equilibrium gravity (g). This formula is needed to solve for
position, the object is hanging vertically down. the experimental acceleration due to gravity and
However, when the metal bob is displaced and is given by:
released, it swings back and forth.
4𝐿𝜋 2
𝑔=
𝑇2

Since the period of the pendulum is

equal to the reciprocal of the frequency which is
given by the number of oscillations per second,
the period can also be given by the number of
seconds per number of complete oscillations.

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠
𝑇 = 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠

To compute for the percentage error of

Figure 1: The Simple Pendulum
the acceleration due to gravity, the formula
In Figure 1, when the suspended object below can be used.
is displaced and released from point C, it
|𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒|
oscillates towards point A and returns back to % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 =
point C. This motion completes one cycle or 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
oscillation. This oscillating motion is called as
periodic motion. The period (T) of the pendulum
is the time it takes for one oscillation to
complete. Moreover, frequency can also be used
in describing periodic motion. Frequency (f) is
the number of oscillations that occur per every
unit of time and is the inverse of the period.

The period of oscillation of a pendulum

that is undergoing simple harmonic motion is
given by the formula below:
1 𝐿
𝑇= = 2𝜋√
𝑓 𝑔
Wherein:
T = period of the pendulum or the
amount of time it takes to complete
one full oscillation
f = frequency of oscillation or the
reciprocal of the period or the
number of oscillations per second
L = length of pendulum which is
measured from the pivot point to the
center of gravity of the pendulum
mass
g = acceleration due to gravity