AIR UNIVERSITY

DMAE [IAA] Date

Air University
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Institute of Avionics and Aeronautics
(IAA)

Lab No. 2

Mechanical Vibrations Lab

ML 427

Simple Pendulum

Submitted To:

Lab Engr. Zain Shami

Submitted By:

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 AIR UNIVERSITY
DMAE [IAA] Date

Lab # 2
Objective:

a) To study factors effecting the time period a mathematical pendulum.

b) To study factors effecting the time period a physical pendulum.
c) To find the value of acceleration due to gravity.
d) Comparison of a rod and thread pendulum with same center of gravity.
e) To find the reduced length of a thread pendulum that will give the same time period as
for rod pendulum.

Equipment Required:

 Bench with Frame

 Thread
 Pendulum (Steel and Wooden)
 Pendulum Mount
 Rod pendulum
 Stopwatch

Theory:

a) Mathematical Pendulum

The simplest pendulum model is the mathematical pendulum consisting of a

concentrated mass suspended on a thread of negligible weight. The pendulum
oscillates in one plane in the earth’s field of gravity. The differential equation
describing the movement of the pendulum is to be derived from the adjacent diagram.
The solution to this equation of motion makes it possible to determine the period of
oscillation of the pendulum. The pendulum is deflected about the angle φ, thus raising
the center of gravity of the concentrated mass by the quantity h. if the pendulum is
released, the restoring force FR as a component of the force due to weight attempts to
return the pendulum to its initial position.

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 AIR UNIVERSITY
DMAE [IAA] Date

Application of center of gravity principle in x-direction with acceleration of the center

of gravity and restoring force FR = m.g.sinφ results in

m. = -m.g.sinφ

Angular acceleration in then substituted for acceleration

x = L.φ, =L

and the equation normalized

+ sin =0

for small

sin =
So the equation of motion for mathematical pendulum becomes

+ =0 ………… ( I )

The solution is a harmonic oscillation expressed as (t) = A sin ωnt where ωn is the
natural frequency of the oscillation so the above mentioned equation No. I becomes

-Aωn2 sin ωnt + Asin ωnt = 0

By solving

ωn =

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 AIR UNIVERSITY
DMAE [IAA] Date

T = = 2π

This is natural frequency and time period for mathematical pendulum.

b) Physical Pendulum

A physical is a pendulum where the pendulum mass is not concentrated at one point.
Strictly speaking, in reality all pendulums are physical, since it is not possible to
achieve the ideal concentration of mass at a single point. A moment equilibrium is
formed about the suspension point to establish the equation of motion. Here again the

pendulum is deflected about the angle . The component FR = m.g.sin of the force
due to weight applied with the lever are rSO at the center of gravity S likewise attempts
to return the pendulum to its initial position. Given the mass moment of inertia (MMI)
JO about the suspension point O this result in.

JO. = - rSO.m.g.sin
Substitution, linearization and normalization then produce the equation of motion for
physical pendulum.

+ =0

Calculation of the natural frequency and period of oscillation is analogous to

mathematical pendulum.

ωn =

T= =2

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 AIR UNIVERSITY
DMAE [IAA] Date

The MMI JO about the suspension point O determined from the MMI JS about the
center of gravity and the Steiner component with a center of gravity distance rSO.

By way of simple example, consideration should first be given to a thin,

homogeneous rod of mass m, where the center of gravity distance rSO = L/2

JO = JS + m. rSO2 = +m. = m.

The equation of motion is thus

+ =0

With the natural frequency and time period being

ωn =

T= =2

Procedure:
 Measure and note the length L, the distance of pivot point O to the end of the bar.
 Displace the pendulum through a small angle, and allow to swing freely. Once settled,
measure the time taken for 20 oscillations and record the periodic time, t.
 Repeat the procedure for various values of L for both the wooden ball and the steel
ball.

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 AIR UNIVERSITY
DMAE [IAA] Date

Results and Calculations:

a) Simple pendulum

Sr. Length of Material Actual Time Period Experimental %age

No. Thread of Time for 20 Time Period Error
L (mm) Pendulum Period Oscillations TEXP(s)
TA (s) T20 (s)
1. 800 Wood
2. 400 Wood
3. 800 Steel
4. 400 Steel

b) Compound Pendulum

Sr. Length of Actual Time Period Experimental %age

No. Rod Time for 20 Time Period Error
L (mm) Period TA Oscillations TEXP(s)
(s) T20 (s)
1. 800
2. 800
3. 800
4. 800

Conclusions:
Concluding remarks should be given for all (5) above mentioned objectives.

Sources of Error:
List all factors that are contributing for different errors.

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