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National University of Sciences and Technology
(NUST)
LAB REPORT
Experiment: Compound Pendulum
Student Name: Mohammad Haider Bin Arif
Section: ¢
Date: 03/01/2021COMPOUND PENDULUM
OBJECTIVE:
1. Finding acceleration due to gravity
2. Radius of gyration (K)
3. Moment of inertia of rod
Theory:
Any object that is oscillated about the horizontal axis under the force
of gravity is known to be a compound pendulum. In this experiment we will be
using a uniform rod that will oscillate from different positions from its centre of
mass.
Apparatu:
1. Bar-pendulum
2. Knife-edge with platform
3. Stop watch
4. Meter scale or measuring tape
Fig 1.1. (A compound pendulum)
2Formulae to be used:
The time period of the compound pendulum is given
by
(Equation 1)
Where:
lis the rotational inertia of the pendulum
Mismass of pendulum
his the distance between the point of suspension and the centre of mass
Now
1 = Ig + Mh?
(Equation 2)
I, is the rotational inertia of the body and is given by
Ig= MK?
(Equation 3)
Substituting equation 3 in equation 2
I=M (h2+K2)
(Equation 4)Substituting equation 4 in equation 1
(Equation 5)
Time period of simple pendulum is given by
7 =2n ft
9g
{Equation 6)
The time period of compound pendulum is equal to the time period of
the simple pendulum of the same length
h? + K?
h
(Equation 7)
These equations can be used to find Land K
L=hith,
{Equation 8)
K=/hy + fy
(Equation 9)Method:
First balance the pendulum on the wedge
Fix the knife-edges at extreme holes on both sides
Marks the centre of mass
Let the pendulum reach equilibrium
Start the pendulum to oscillate by a very small angle
SPypeNn Pp
Note the time of your time period of your desired oscillation ideal is 20
oscillations
Repeat the steps 5 and 6 for each hole (oscillation should be the same)
oN
Record your results in a table
9. Plot a graph taking T on y-axis and distance from G on x-axis draw two
smooth curves on both sides of 6.
Side above G Side below 6
h{m) total time of oscillation (s} meantime(s) h(m) total time of oscillations (s) mean time
(Model table)
|||
(Model graph)Calculations from graph:
1. First draw a line ABCDE parallel to the x-axis,
2. The length of equivalent simple pendulum is given by
Where AC=I and CD=*
7
Same for CE and BC
3. Calculate ‘g’ using the formula
L
=4n?
ory
4, Draw another line ABCD E and find another value of ‘g’
5. Use k = CSP HEET for the values of K and find the mean K
6. Finally calculate the mean Inertia using I=Mk2
NOW TO FIND MEAN ‘g’
AD+DE AD+DE
aL
1. Length of simple pendulum L=
I. Value of time period at C=T sec and C=T sec
I, Finally find ‘g’ using the relation
L
g anHow to make experiment bette!
* Knife-edges should be sharp
* Make the amplitude of vibrations small
* Distance to be measured always from centre of mass to the bottom of each
hole
«Have a good stop watch
* Draw a smooth curve on graph with suitable scale
Conclusion and Discussiot
Over all the experiment is easy to do but because of balancing the rod on wedge
nicely is makes experiment slightly difficult. There could be uncertainty in the
value of ‘g’ as there is a good chance of having errors for example
¢ Human reaction error
* Error in the stopwatch
* Its displacing the pendulum from the same angle every time
* Its difficult to keep the pendulum at the centre