Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

BFF2821 Mechanics Laboratory

Title The simple pendulum Category Dynamics

Prepared by Matrix No.

Matrix No.

Date/Time

1. Introduction

A small weight (or bob) suspended by a cord forms a simple pendulum. When the pendulum is swinging, the
time of swing is found to be constant. This depends on the length of pendulum and is not affected by the weight
of the bob or the arc of swing. The constant time of swing of a simple pendulum forms the basis of time
counting in some clocks.

It is known that the time of swing for a simple pendulum of length L is given by the formula

(1)

where,

L = the length of pendulum

t = time

Since  and g are constant, then

(2)

This means that the time of swing of a simple pendulum is proportional to the root of its length.

Objective of this experiment is to show that the time of a simple pendulum depends on its length. The same
principle can as well be used to determine the value of the gravitational acceleration (g) as in Equation 2.

2. Apparatus

Apparatus Quantity/Specification Figure

Mounting panel 1 NIL

Plumb bob and line 1

© FKP-UMP 2012
Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang

Apparatus Quantity/Specification Figure

Adjustable hook 1

Knurled nuts 3

1N weight 1 NIL

Measuring Tape 1 NIL

Stop watch 1 NIL

3. Procedure

3.1 Preparation

1. Secure the mounting panel in the vertical position.

2. Position the adjustable hook with nut.
3. Place the long screw and secure with nut.
4. Draw a horizontal line on the mounting panel and mark it as 0mm.
5. Draw similar lines at 130mm, 160mm, 250mm, 280mm, and 360mm below the 0 mm line (note that
holes on the mounting panel are spaced at 25 mm apart).
6. Adjust the cord on the plumb by approximately 600 mm. Use a suitable knot to tie the cord so that it
can be removed from the mounting panel when the experiment is completed.

3.2 Test 1

1. Slide the rod so that the hook on is exactly on the 0mm line.
2. Take the plumb bob and pass the cord around the hook.
3. Clamp the free end under the head of screw.
4. The plumb bob has a dot stamped on its largest diameter which represents the centre of gravity. This
dot should be positioned in line with the 160 mm mark (hence, the pendulum length, L is equal to
160mm).
5. Set the pendulum swinging with amplitude of approximately 50mm on either side of the static
position (use the hole-spacing on the mounting panel as reference).
6. Record the time for 20 complete swings (a complete swing is counted when the plumb bob move from
one extreme to another and return again),
7. Repeat the experiment 2 to 3 times to obtain an average result.
8. Repeat the steps for 100mm amplitude.

9. Add a 1N weight to the plumb bob.

10. Record the time for 20 swings with amplitude of 50mm and 100mm.

© FKP-UMP 2012
Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang

3.3 Test 2

1. Keep the 1N weight on the plumb bob, lower the cord until the bottom of the 1N weight is on the
250mm mark.
2. Set the pendulum swinging with amplitude of approximately 100mm and record the time for 20
swings.
3. Lower the bob until the length of pendulum is 360 mm and record the time for 20 swings at 100mm
amplitude.
4. Lower the bob until the length of pendulum is 490 mm and record the time for 20 swings at 100mm
amplitude.
5. Lower the bob until the length of pendulum is 640 mm and record the time for 20 swings at 100mm
amplitude.

Figure 1: Experiment setup for simple pendulum

4. Results

Divide each total time that you have collected in the experiment by 20 to obtain the average time (t) of one
swing. This is called the periodic time for the pendulum. Tabulate your result as follow

Weight + Plum Weight + Plumb

Plumb bob only
Plumb bob only bob bob
Setting (Amplitude =
(Amplitude = 50mm) (Amplitude = (Amplitude =
100mm)
50mm) 100mm)

Time (t)

Length of Pendulum, L
(m1/2) T = 20 cycles, (s) Time, t (s)
(m)

Plot graph versus t on a piece of paper and calculate the value of g.

© FKP-UMP 2012
Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang

5. Discussions

Based on your results obtained, write your answers for the following questions:

1. Does the length of pendulum changes its periodic time?

2. Does the weight of the pendulum alter its periodic time?
3. Please explain how time, t varies as the length of pendulum, L varies.
4. Explain briefly how to build a simple time counting device using the principle of simple pendulum.

6. Conclusions

Write your conclusions accordingly.

© FKP-UMP 2012