FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

DYNAMICS LABORATORY REPORT

Course Code & Name BNJ27301 ENGINEERING LABORATORY II

Code & Title of
D1 SIMPLE PENDULUM
Experiment
Date of Experiment 3 JUNE 2020
Programme 4 BNL
Group 5D @ GROUP 4
Name Matrix No.
1. ARIF BIN NOR AZLAN DN160143
Student Name 2. EZZUL HAFIZ BIN ZULKIFLI DN160131
3. MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ BIN AMIRUDDIN DN160236
4. WAN AHMAD KHUZAIRIL ASYRAF BIN WAN YUSOF DN160090
5. MOHD AMIRUL MUKMININ BIN MOHD DALI DN160128
1. TS. DR. ZULIAZURA BINTI MOHD SALLEH
Instructor Name
2. TS. DR. NOR MAZLANA BINTI MAIN
ELEMENT CP MARKS LEVEL MARKS
Title, objective & background
Theory C2 2 4 6 8 10 /10
Equipment and Procedures -
Results P2 3 6 9 12 15 /15
Data Calculation P4 2 4 6 8 10 /10
Assessment Discussion C4 4 8 12 16 20 /20
Observation P3 4 8 12 16 20 /20
Question answering C5 1 2 3 4 5 /5
Conclusion C3 3 6 9 12 15 /15
References C1 1 2 3 4 5 /5
TOTAL /100%
*CP (COGNITIVE AND PSYCHOMOTOR LEVEL)

INSTRUCTOR
COMMENTS
1.0 Title: Simple Pendulum

Figure 1 show the theory for a simple pendulum that swings through a small angle (amplitude)
and has an inelastic string (a string that doesn’t stretch). The pendulum has a length (l) from its
fixing point to the center of gravity of the mass at its end. If you pull the mass to one side and
let go, it swings from one side to the other, due to the restoring force caused by the gravitational
pull on the mass. The string or cord only has a tiny mass, so its effect is ignored.
The time to swing from one side to the other is half the swing ‘period’ (T/2). It
completes a full swing or one period (T) when it returns to its starting position. The acceleration
due to gravity (g) affects the swing, and along with the length, affects the time (period) it takes
for the pendulum to swing. A longer pendulum or less gravity would give a longer period.
However, you cannot change g (and it is relatively constant around the world), but you can
easily change the pendulum length to show this theory. You can also use the pendulum theory
to calculate a value for g, in meter per second (m/s). However, the value depends on accurately
measuring the distance from the fixing point to the center of gravity of the mass. This can be
difficult to measure, especially with shorter pendulums, as the percentage measuring error
increases. Also, the cord fixing point (toggle) allows a small amount of movement adding small
errors.
Without friction, the pendulum will swing forever, but its loss energy to the air as it
moves and to friction at the pivot (toggle).
In the simple pendulum, the restoring force is proportional to the sine of the
displacement angle, not the angle. However, for small angles the sine is approximately equal
to the angle in radians. Therefore, for small angles you can regard the pendulum motion as
SHM

Figure 1: Pendulum Theory

2.0 Objective

To prove the theory for simple pendulum.

3.0 Theory

A pendulum shows simple harmonic motion (SHM), which allowed us to measure the
gravitational constant by measuring the period of the pendulum. The period, T, of a pendulum
of length, L, undergoing simple harmonic motion is given by:

𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

Thus, by measuring the period of a pendulum as well as its length, we can determine
the value of g:

4𝜋 2 𝐿
𝑔=
𝑇2

We assumed that the frequency and period of the pendulum depend on the length of the
pendulum string, rather than the angle from which it was dropped.

4.0 Equipment

Simple Harmonic Motion Kit ES7.

5.0 Procedure

5.1 General Procedure

The Top Plate was fixed to the Work Panel. The holes in the Work Panel was counted to
ensure everything fits correctly.

5.2 Experimental Procedure

i. The weights of two simple pendulum balls was measured. The lightest pendulum ball
was chosen and fitted in to the Work Panel.
ii. The length (l) was set to 500 mm (0.5 m).
iii. The pendulum ball was pushed to one side by roughly 100 mm and released to allow
it to swing freely. It was swinging clearly of the supports.
iv. The stopwatch was used to measure how many seconds it takes to complete 50
complete swings (from one side to the other and back).
v. The length of 450 mm, 400 mm, 350 mm, 250 mm, and 200 mm was repeated.
vi. The result was recorded in the table.
vii. The experiment was repeated with the heavier pendulum.
6.0 Result

Table 1 below shows the data collected from light pendulum which includes the decrease in
the length of the strings and the time for 50 swings.

Table 1: Result for light pendulum

Length √(l) Time for Actual period Theoretical (𝑻/𝟐𝝅)𝟐

(l) (m) 50 swings (T) period
(s) 𝑻 = 𝟐𝝅√(𝒍/𝒈)
0.50 0.7071 70 1.4 1.4185 0.0496
0.45 0.6708 67 1.34 1.3457 0.0455
0.40 0.6325 64 1.28 1.2687 0.0415
0.35 0.5916 60 1.2 1.1868 0.0365
0.30 0.5477 56 1.12 1.0988 0.0318
0.25 0.5 52 1.04 1.0030 0.0274
0.20 0.4472 47 0.94 0.8971 0.0224

Table 2 below shows the data collected from heavy pendulum which includes the decrease in
the length of the strings and the time for 50 swings.

Table 2: Result for heavy pendulum

Length √(l) Time for Actual period Theoretical (𝑻/𝟐𝝅)𝟐

(l) (m) 50 swings (T) period
(s) 𝑻 = 𝟐𝝅√(𝒍/𝒈)
0.50 0.7071 71 1.42 1.4185 0.0510
0.45 0.6708 67 1.34 1.3457 0.0455
0.40 0.6325 63 1.26 1.2687 0.0415
0.35 0.5916 60 1.2 1.1868 0.0365
0.30 0.5477 56 1.12 1.0988 0.0318
0.25 0.5 51 1.02 1.0030 0.0274
0.20 0.4472 48 0.96 0.8971 0.0224
Figure 2 below shows the graph of Actual and Theoretical values of T against √(l) from the
heavy pendulum result.

Actual and Theoretical value of T vs √(l)

1.5

1.4

1.3
Time (T)

1.2

1.1

0.9

0.8
0.7071 0.6708 0.6325 0.5916 0.5477 0.5 0.4472
Actual 1.42 1.34 1.26 1.2 1.12 1.02 0.96
Theoretical 1.4185 1.3457 1.2687 1.1868 1.0988 1.003 0.8971
√(l)

Figure 2: The Actual and Theoretical values of T against √(l) graph

Figure 3 below shows the graph of Length (l) against (𝑇/2𝜋)2 from the heavy pendulum result.

Length (l) vs (𝑇/2𝜋)^2

0.5

0.45

0.4
Length (l)

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2
0.051 0.0455 0.0415 0.0365 0.0318 0.0274 0.0224
(𝑇/2𝜋)^2

Figure 3: The Length (l) against (𝑇/2𝜋)2 graph

The gradient calculation for Length (l) against (𝑇/2𝜋)2 graph:

𝑌2−𝑌1 0.45−0.50
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝑋2−𝑋1 = 0.0455−0.0510 = 9.0909

Hence, Gradient = Average value of g, 9.0909 = 9.81

7.0 Data Calculation

Table 3 below shows the calculation of light pendulum.

Table 3: Calculation for light pendulum

Length √(l) Theoretical period Time for Actual period (𝑻/𝟐𝝅)𝟐

(l) (m) 50 (T)
𝑻 = 𝟐𝝅√(𝒍/𝒈) swings
(s)
0.50 √0.50 = 2𝜋√(0.50/9.81) 70 70/50 = 1.4 (1.4/2𝜋)2 =
0.7071 = 1.4185 0.0496
0.45 √0.45 = 2𝜋√(0.45/9.81) 67 67/50 = 1.34 (1.34/2𝜋)2 =
0.6708 = 1.3457 0.0455
0.40 √0.40 = 2𝜋√(040/9.81) 64 64/50 = 1.28 (1.28/2𝜋)2 =
0.6325 = 1.2687 0.0415
0.35 √0.35 = 2𝜋√(0.35/9.81) 60 60/50 = 1.2 (1.2/2𝜋)2 =
0.5916 = 1.1868 0.0365
0.30 √0.30 = 2𝜋√(030/9.81) 56 56/50 = 1.12 (1.12/2𝜋)2 =
0.5477 = 1.0988 0.0318
0.25 √0.25 = 2𝜋√(0.25/9.81) 52 52/50 = 1.04 (1.04/2𝜋)2 =
0.5 = 1.0030 0.0274
0.20 √0.20 = 2𝜋√(0.20/9.81) 47 47/50 = 0.94 (0.94/2𝜋)2 =
0.4472 = 0.8971 0.0224
Table 4 below shows the calculation of heavy pendulum.

Table 4: Calculation for heavy pendulum

Length √(l) Theoretical period Time for Actual period (𝑻/𝟐𝝅)𝟐

(l) (m) 50 (T)
𝑻 = 𝟐𝝅√(𝒍/𝒈) swings
(s)
0.50 √0.50 = 2𝜋√(0.50/9.81) 71 71/50 = 1.42 (1.42/2𝜋)2 =
0.7071 = 1.4185 0.0510
0.45 √0.45 = 2𝜋√(0.45/9.81) 67 67/50 = 1.34 (1.34/2𝜋)2 =
0.6708 = 1.3457 0.0455
0.40 √0.40 = 2𝜋√(040/9.81) 63 63/50 = 1.26 (1.28/2𝜋)2 =
0.6325 = 1.2687 0.0415
0.35 √0.35 = 2𝜋√(0.35/9.81) 60 60/50 = 1.2 (1.2/2𝜋)2 =
0.5916 = 1.1868 0.0365
0.30 √0.30 = 2𝜋√(030/9.81) 56 56/50 = 1.12 (1.12/2𝜋)2 =
0.5477 = 1.0988 0.0318
0.25 √0.25 = 2𝜋√(0.25/9.81) 51 51/50 = 1.02 (1.04/2𝜋)2 =
0.5 = 1.0030 0.0274
0.20 √0.20 = 2𝜋√(0.20/9.81) 48 48/50 = 0.96 (0.94/2𝜋)2 =
0.4472 = 0.8971 0.0224

8.0 Discussion

It can be discussed that the theory for simple pendulum is proven by doing this experiment.
The mass on a pendulum does not affect the swing because force and mass are proportional
and when the mass increases so does the force. As the force increases so does the acceleration
and along with gravity are the factors that affect the pendulum swing. Therefore, the mass does
not affect the period of the pendulum. The result of the actual period and theoretical period is
slightly different but can still be considered as equivalent because the factors that influence in
difference in the actual and theoretical result was not present, therefor it is accurate and
equivalent. The accuracy of the gradient value from the graph displayed in figure 3 is slightly
proportional to the gravitational force average value. This is because the time taken for the
pendulum to make 50 swings was conducted manually using human and tends to have error.
This action can be improved by installing an automatic sensor on the end of the pendulum
swing to acquire a much more accurate value of the gradient.
9.0 Observation

According to the observation, mass does not affect the pendulum's swing. It shows that the
length of the string and the angle from where the pendulum is released gives effect on the
pendulum experiment. The longer the length of string, the farther the pendulum falls, and
therefore, the longer the period, or back and forth swing of the pendulum. Besides that, the
greater the amplitude, or angle, the farther the pendulum falls, and therefore, the longer the
period. Finally, the actual period of the pendulum swing is slightly proportional with the
theoretical period on both experiments using light weight pendulum and heavy weight
pendulum.

10.0 Question Answering

i. How does mass affect a pendulum swing?

Mass does not affect the period of the pendulum, only the length of the string and the
angle of amplitude of the pendulum. Only force will be affected by the mass and this
supported by newton' s second law of motion F=ma. When looking at the formula for a
period of a pendulum, it is 𝑇 = 2𝜋√(𝑙/𝑔). Based on the formula, "l" is the length and
"g" is the force of gravity. Therefore, the mass does not affect the period of the
pendulum.

ii. What does the period of a pendulum depend on?

The time for one complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing, is called the period.
The period depends on the length of the pendulum and also to a slight degree on the
amplitude, the width of the pendulum's swing.
11.0 Conclusion

From this experiment, the data collected enabled the determination of the relationship between
the periods of oscillation of a simple pendulum with its length from the center of the swing,
which increases with the length. The period also varies as a square of the length of the
pendulum. For better results and accuracy in the analysis, the discussed errors could be
minimized by reducing the reaction time of the observer, digitally programmed equipment for
recording data could be used to improve on the accuracy of results

12.0 References

Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology. (2020). Simple Pendulums. Johor:

Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.

Parks, H. V., & Faller, J. E. (2010). Simple pendulum determination of the gravitational
constant. Physical Review Letters, 1-4.