UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL

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Program : Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical (EM220/EM221)

Course : Applied Mechanics Lab
Code : MEC 424
Lecturer : DR. WAN SULAIMAN
Group : EMD4M5A GROUP 9
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MEC 424 - LABORATORY REPORT

TITLE : PHYSICAL PENDULUM – WOODEN PENDULUM

N NAME STUDENT ID SIGNATURE

o
1. WAN AHMAD AIMAN BIN WAN ANUAR 2018659712
2. WAN AHMAD AIZAT BIN WAN YUSLI 2018239006
3. WAN MUHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN WAN MUHAMMAD AZAN 2018298096
4. SYED MUHAMMAD ABDULKHOLIQ BIN SYED MAT DAUD 2018276504
5. WAN NUR SABRINA WAN AHMAD AZIZ 2018414646

LABORATORY SESSION :
(DATE)

REPORT SUBMISSION : 17 MAY 2020

(DATE)
*By signing above you attest that you have contributed to this submission and confirm that all work you have contributed to this
submission is your own work. Any suspicion of copying or plagiarism in this work will result in an investigation of academic
misconduct and may result in a “0” on the work, an “F” in the course, or possibly more severe penalties.

Marking Scheme

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total

1
1.0) ABSTRACT

This experiment is conducted in order to determine the mass moment of inertia at

the center of the gravity, I Gand at the suspension points, I Aand I Bby oscillation.From the
experiment, there are some differences between the values of I G, I Aand I Bfrom
theexperiment data and theoretical value.To add, the values of I G, I A and I Bare different
even though the mass of wooden pendulum is constant.To make it clear, the experimental
values will obtain from the calculation of result while the theoretical values will get from the
theory of the experiment.Based on the experiment, the wooden pendulum oscillates in non-
uniform motion especially when it is suspended at I B. After the data was taken, the period
ofoscillation, T Aand T Bare obtained from the two different suspension points. Thus, the
values of I G, I A and I Bcan be measured.The potential factors that cause to the differences in
values is maybe caused by the oscillation of the pendulum are not constant. The time taken
for 10 oscillation are taken using two different supports which is there is two sides, left and
right.On each side, the time taken for 10 oscillation is taken three times to find average time
taken. Thetime is taken by using stopwatch which is provided.Thereare some error while
doing this experiment due to human errors or disturbing from surrounding.This situation
may affect the results obtained.

2
2.0) TABLE OF CONTENT

No Content Page
1. Abstract 2
2. Table of Contents 3
3. List of Tables 4
4. List of Figures 5
5. Introduction 6
6. Theory 7
7. Experimental Procedures 9
8. Results 11
9. Discussion 16
10. Conclusions 17
11. References 18
12. Appendices and Raw Data 19
13. Teamwork Assessment Form 20

3
3.0) LIST OF TABLES

Table 1………………………………………………………………………………………………...11

Table 2………………………………………………………………………………………………...13

4
4.0) LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1………………………………………………………………………………………………...7

Figure 2………………………………………………………………………………………………...9

Figure 3………………………………………………………………………………………………...9

Figure 4……………………………………………………………………………………………….10

Figure 5……………………………………………………………………………………………….10

5
5.0) INTRODUCTION

A simple pendulum consists of ball hanging from a string that has small mass but strong
enough to stretch appreciably.For small displacements, a pendulum is a simple harmonic
oscillator. A rigid object which swings freely about some pivot point is called a physical
pendulum. The periodic motion is now subjectto the mass moment of inertia of the body and
it distance from the centre of the mass.

A pendulum is a weight suspended from a fixed support so that it swings freely back and
forth under the influence of gravity. When a pendulum is displaced from its resting,
equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back
toward the equilibrium position.The time for one complete cycle, a left swing and a right
swing, is called the period.Pendulums are used in scientific instruments such as
accelerometers and seismometers.During this experiment, wooden pendulum used to show
how the mass moment of inertia of an unknown body could be determined by the way of
oscillation of that body.

6
6.0) THEORY

The simple gravity pendulum is an idealized mathematical model of a pendulum. This is a

weight or bob on the end of a weightless cord suspended from a pivot, without friction. When
given an initial push, it will swing back and forth on constant amplitude. Real pendulums are
subject to friction and air drag, so the amplitude of their swings declines.
A physical pendulum is a pendulum where the pendulum mass is not concentrated at one
point. In reality all pendulums are physical, since it is not possible to achieve the ideal
concentration of mass at a single point.
An equilibrium moment is formed about the suspension point to establish the equation of
motion. The pendulum is deflected about the angle,θ.  

Figure 1

Given the Mass Moment of Inertia (MMI), Io about the suspension point o,

I o . ❑=
¨ ∑M

¨
I o . ❑=−r G . mgsin❑

Substitution, linearization and normalization then produce Equation of Motion for the physical
pendulum.

rG
¨+ mg = 0
Io

7
Calculation of the natural frequency and period of oscillation is analogous to the mathematical
pendulum.

mg . r G
¿
√ Io

2 Io
T=
❑
=2.
√
mg. r G

8
7.0) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

1. Wooden pendulum is hanged by a steel pin at first suspension point, A.

Figure2 : First suspension,point A

2.   The pendulum is allowed to oscillate from left side to right side.   

Figure3 : Step for pendulum swing from point 1(left),

3. The time taken for the pendulum to complete 10 oscillations is recorded by

stopwatch.
4.  Steps 2 and 3 are repeated 3 times to obtain 3 readings in order to get the

average time taken for 10 oscillations. 

5. Next, the pendulum is allowed to oscillate from right side to left side.

9
 Figure4 : Step for pendulum swing from point 2(right),

6.   The time taken for the pendulum to complete 10 oscillations is recorded by

stopwatch.   
7. Steps 5 and 6 are repeated 3 times to obtain 3 readings in order to get the
average time taken for 10 oscillations. 
8. Step 2 to 7 is repeated for the second suspension point, B .   

Figure5 : Second suspension,point B

10
8.0) RESULTS

CALCULATION(THEORY)_

POINT A

Component Area, A (m2)   ȳ

  ȳA (m3)
(m)
1 0.8 x 0.08 = 0.064 0.4 0.0256
2 0.45 x 0.011 = -(4.95 x 10-3) 0.275 -(1.361x10-3)
2
3   π (0.0125)  = -(4.909 0.74 -(3.633 x10-4)
x10-4 )

∑A = 0.0586 ∑ yA =
0.0239
TABLE 1

ȳ=
∑ yA
∑A
0.0239
= m
0.0586

= 0.407 m

11
Moment of inertia of each component, Í

m(h2 +b2 ) 1 2
Í = , Í = mr
12 2

4 16
´I 1 = 0.656( 625 + 25 )
12

= 0.0353 kgm 2

I 1´Adj = I ´1 A +md 2

= 0.0353 + 0.6547(0.007)2

= 0.0353 kgm3

−4 81
´I 2 = 0.0507(1.21 ×10 + 400 )
12

= 8.544 × 10−4 kgm2

I 2´Adj = I ´2 A +md 2

= 8.544 × 10−4 + ¿0.0506(0.308)2

= 5.6 ×10−3 kgm3

1
I´3 = (5.023 ×10−3 ¿ ¿
2

= 3.924 ×10−7 kgm2

I 3´Adj = I ´3 A +md 2

= 3.924 ×10−7 +5.023 ×10−3 ( 0.353)2

= 6.263 ×10−4 kgm3

I GA= I´1 – I´2- I´3

12
 = 0.0291 kgm 2

I 0 A= Í GA +md 2

= 0.029 + (0.6)(0.308)2

= 0.0861 kgm3

POINT B

Componen
Area, A (m2) ȳ(m)   ȳA (m3)
t
1 0.8 x 0.08 = 0.064 0.4 0.0256
2 0.45 x 0.011 = -(4.95 x 10-3) 0.525 -(2.599 x10-3)
2
3   π (0.0125)  = -(4.909 0.06 -(2.945 x10-5)
x10-4 )

∑A = 0.0586 ∑  yA =
0.0223
TABLE 2

ȳ=
∑ yA
∑A
0.0223
= m
0.0586

=0.392m

m(h2 +b2 ) 1 2
Í = , Í = mr
12 2

4 16
´I 1 = 0.6547( 625 + 25 )
12

= 0.0353 kgm 2

I 1´adj = I ´1 B +md 2

= 0.0353 + 0.6547(0.008)2

= 0.0353 kgm3

13
 −4 81
´I 2 = 0.0506(1.21 ×10 + 400 )
12

= 8.544 × 10−4 kgm2

I 2´adj = I´2+ md2

= 8.544 × 10−4 + ¿0.0506(0.358)2

= 7.263 ×10−3 kgm3

1
I´3 = (5.023 ×10−3 ¿ ¿
2

= 3.924 ×10−7 kgm2

I 3´adj = I´3+ md2

= 3.924 ×10−7 +4.597 × 10−3 (0.307)2

= 4.34 ×10−4 kgm3

I ´GB= I´1 - I´2- I´3

= 0.027kgm2

I ´0 B= Í GB+ md 2

= 0.027 + (0.6)(0.358)2

= 0.104 kgm3

CALCULATION(EXPERIMENTAL)

Point A Point B

14.27+14.31 14.18+14.17
T ave= T ave=
2 2

= 14.29 s = 14.18 s

14
 14.29 14.18
Period of oscillation, t = Period of oscillation, t =
10 10

= 1.429 s = 1.418 s

General equation of pendulum, General equation of pendulum,

L L
T =2 π
√ g
T =2 π
√ g

L L
1.429 = 2 π
√ 9.81
1.418 = 2 π
√ 9.81

L = 0.5074 m L = 0.4996 m

x ( LB− x)
r A= r = x−r A
L A + LB −2 x A

0.69 (0.4996−0.69)
= = 0.69 – 0.3522
0.5074+0.4996−2(0.69)

= 0.3522 m = 0.3378 m

I ´OA I ´OB
t = 2π
√ mgr
t = 2π
√ mgr

I ´OA
1.429 = 2 π
√ (0.6)(9.81)(0.3522)
1.418 =

I ´OB
2π
√ (0.6)(9.81)(0.3378)

I ´OA = 0.1072kgm3 I ´OB = 0.1013kgm3

I ´GA= Í A−md2

= 0.1072 - (0.6)(0.355)2

= 0.0316kgm3

I ´GB= Í B−md2

= 0.1013 - (0.6)(0.355)2

= 0.0257 kgm3

15
9.0) DISCUSSION

From the experiment conducted, all the values of mass moment of inertia at the centre of
gravity, IG and at the suspension point, IO on different end, OA and OB have been determined
according to the experiment and theory. The values of IOA, IGA, IOB and IGB are theoretically
calculated using formulae and finding the volume of each component exist in the non-
homogeneous wooden pendulum. The values of IOA, IGA, IOB and IGB are experimentally
determined by taking time for 10 complete oscillation of the wooden pendulum on different
angle for each suspension point. Comparing all the values of IOA, IGA, IOB and IGB in theoretical
and experimental calculation, it is found out that each value is slightly different from each
other. The percentage error between the theoretical and experimental values can be
observed in Table . The percentage errors are merely less than 30% and therefore can be
considered as acceptable. The difference in values may be caused by several errors during
the experiment and calculation. The dimension of the wooden pendulum may be taken under
parallax and precision errors as only a ruler is used to take the dimensions of the wooden
pendulum including the circular parts. Therefore, this might affect the reading taken. During
the oscillation, a stopwatch is used and therefore, there might be zero error as the starting of
the swing is not precisely parallel with the starting of the time taken. This may cause the time
to be slower or faster than it is supposed to be recorded. The oscillation of the wooden
pendulum especially on the smaller circle, OB is wobbling as the supporting part is so small
and this cause disturbance during the oscillation. In the calculation procedure, only several
decimal points are considered and this also affected all the values calculated. All of this
disturbance and errors has affected the values of IOA, IGA, IOB and IGB obtained.

16
10.0) CONCLUSION

In a nutshell, it is found out that a pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can
swing freely. When a pendulum is displaced from its equilibrium position, it is subjected to
a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position.
When released, the restoring force combined with the pendulum's mass causes it
to oscillate about the equilibrium position, swinging back and forth. The time for one
complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing, is called the period. A pendulum swings with a
specific period which depends mainly on its length. It is also found out that the values of IOA,
IGA, IOB and IGB are affected by errors and disturbance during experiment and even decimal
points consideration during calculation is a contributing factor. The error percentage between
the theoretical and experimental values can be considered as a slight error as the values of
the error are just less than 30%. 

17
11.0) REFERENCES

 Engineering Mechanics Dynamics, 11th Edition In SI Units by R.C Hibbeler

Publisher : Pearson Prentice Hall

18
12.0) APPENDICES AND RAW DATA

Appendix A: Theoretical contents

Appendix B:Summary of result for M2

19
 FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Teamwork Assessment Form

Name :WAN AHMAD AIMAN BIN WAN ANUAR

Member’s Name 1 :WAN AHMAD AIZAT BIN WAN YUSLI

2 :WAN MUHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN WAN MUHAMMAD AZAN

3 : SYED MUHAMMAD ABDULKHOLIQ BIN SYED MAT DAUD

4 :WAN NUR SABRINA WAN AHMAD AZIZ

1 2 3 4 5
Scale
Level Poor Acceptable Excellent

You will rate yourself and your team’s member on the following criteria

Earned Assessment
Element Members
Self
1 2 3 4
I was ready to work with my team 5 5 5 5 5
I did my assigned work well and always on time 5 5 5 5 5
I was fair to my teammates and myself 5 5 5 5 5
I listened to others appreciatively and was supportive 5 5 5 5 5
I was very committed and focused in my team 5 5 5 5 5
I put extra efforts to finish or accomplish our task 5 5 5 5 5
I encouraged others in my team and was helpful 5 5 5 5 5
I managed and coordinated team efforts effectively 5 5 5 5 5
I was able to lead discussions and provide solutions 5 5 5 5 5
Overall, I was very satisfied and enjoyed my work 5 5 5 5 5
Total 5 5 5 5 5

Comment

Self: I always help teammates that need my help

Member 1: very good teammate

Member 2: very responsive

Member 3: very hardworking

Member 4: always help me when I am asking

20