EXPERIMENT 04

Finding Length of Seconds Pendulum

Objectives:

In this lab, we are going to find out length of a pendulum by assuming its time period.

Equipment / Tools:

• Seconds Pendulum
• Meter Rule
• Stop Watch

Background:

A second’s pendulum is a pendulum whose period is precisely two seconds; one second for a
swing in one direction and one second for the return swing, a frequency of 1/2 Hz. A
pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. When a pendulum is
displaced sideways from its resting equilibrium position, it is subject 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. The period depends on the length of the pendulum, and also to a
slight degree on its weight distribution (the moment of inertia about its own center of mass)
and the amplitude (width) of the pendulum's swing.

Procedure:

A second’s pendulum is a pendulum whose period is precisely two seconds; one second for a
swing in one direction and one second for the return swing, a frequency of 1/2 Hz. In this lab,
we will assume a time length of 2 seconds for a pendulum and will get length of the pendulum
by using this formula: Now, after finding its length we will repeat the same procedure as in
previous lab and will find out its Time Period.
 l
T=2π g
Point of suspension

cm of the
ruler

Figure 12.1: A Seconds Pendulum

Results:

Table 4.1: Practical Results

S No. Time for 10 oscillations T Length

t1 (s) t2 (s) t3 (s) Average (s) (s) L(m)
1

Conclusion: