DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

INSTITUTE OF AVIONICS AND AERONAUTICS

MECHANICAL VIBRRATIONS LAB

MANUAL

NAME

Dua Saboor

ROLL NO.

170533

CLASS

BEME – F17 (B)

INSTRUCTOR

Ma’am Iqra Danish

AIR UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD

 ME-329L MECHANICAL VIBATIONS LAB DATE:

LAB # 3
OBJECTIVE:

a) To study factors effecting the time period a mathematical pendulum.

b) To study factors effecting the time period a physical pendulum.
c) To find the value of acceleration due to gravity.
d) Comparison of a rod and thread pendulum with same center of gravity.
e) To find the reduced length of a thread pendulum that will give the same time
period as for rod pendulum.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

• Bench with Frame

• Thread
• Pendulum (Steel and Wooden)
• Pendulum Mount
• Rod pendulum
• Stopwatch

THEORY:

a) Mathematical Pendulum

The simplest pendulum model is the mathematical pendulum consisting of a

concentrated mass suspended on a thread of negligible weight. The pendulum
oscillates in one plane in the earth’s field of gravity. The differential equation describing
the movement of the pendulum is to be derived from the adjacent diagram. The
solution to this equation of motion makes it possible to determine the period of
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 ME-329L MECHANICAL VIBATIONS LAB DATE:

oscillation of the pendulum. The pendulum is deflected about the angle φ, thus raising
the center of gravity of the concentrated mass by the quantity h. if the pendulum is
released, the restoring force FR as a component of the force due to weight attempts to
return the pendulum to its initial position.

Application of center of gravity principle in x-direction with acceleration of the center

of gravity and restoring force FR = m.g.sinφ results in

m. = -m.g.sinφ
Angular acceleration in then substituted for acceleration
x = L.φ, =L

and the equation normalized

+ sin =0
for small
sin =
So the equation of motion for mathematical pendulum becomes

+ =0 ………… ( I )

The solution is a harmonic oscillation expressed as (t) = A sin ωnt where ωn is the
natural frequency of the oscillation so the above mentioned equation No. I becomes

-Aωn2 sin ωnt + Asin ωnt = 0

By solving

ωn =

T = = 2π

This is natural frequency and time period for mathematical pendulum.

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 ME-329L MECHANICAL VIBATIONS LAB DATE:

b) Physical Pendulum

A physical is a pendulum where the pendulum mass is not concentrated at one point.
Strictly speaking, all pendulums are physical, since it is not possible to achieve the
ideal concentration of mass at a single point. A moment equilibrium is formed about
the suspension point to establish the equation of motion. Here again the pendulum is
deflected about the angle . The component FR = m.g.sin of the force due to weight
applied with the lever are rSO at the center of gravity S likewise attempts to return the
pendulum to its initial position. Given the mass moment of inertia (MMI) J O about the
suspension point O this result in.

JO. = - rSO.m.g.sin
Substitution, linearization and normalization then produce the equation of motion for
physical pendulum.
+ =0

Calculation of the natural frequency and period of oscillation is analogous to

mathematical pendulum.

ωn =

T= =2

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 ME-329L MECHANICAL VIBATIONS LAB DATE:

The MMI JO about the suspension point O determined from the MMI J S about the
center of gravity and the Steiner component with a center of gravity distance rSO.

By way of simple example, consideration should first be given to a thin,

homogeneous rod of mass m, where the center of gravity distance rSO = L/2

JO = JS + m. rSO2 = +m. = m.
The equation of motion is thus

+ =0
With the natural frequency and time period being

ωn =

T= =2

PROCEDURE:
• Measure and note the length L, the distance of pivot point O to the end of the
bar.
• Displace the pendulum through a small angle and allow to swing freely. Once
settled, measure the time taken for 20 oscillations and record the periodic time,
t.
• Repeat the procedure for various values of L for both the wooden ball and the
steel ball.

RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS:

a) Simple pendulum
Mass of wood= 50g= 0.05kg
Mass of steel= 520g= 0.52kg
Sr. Length Material Actual Time Experimental %age
No. of of Time Period for Time Period Error
Thread Pendulum Period 20 TEXP(s)
L TA (s) Oscillations
(mm) T20 (s)
1. 420 Wood 1.30 25.95 1.29 0.76
2. 495 Wood 1.41 27.77 1.39 1.4
3. 465 Steel 1.36 27.15 1.35 0.73
4. 500 Steel 1.42 28.14 1.40 1.4

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ME-329L MECHANICAL VIBATIONS LAB DATE:

b) Compound Pendulum
Material: Steel
Sr. Length of Rod Actual Time Period Experimental %age
No. L Time for 20 Time Period Error
(mm) Period TA Oscillations TEXP(s)
(s) T20 (s)
1. 705 1.37 26.8 1.34 0.02
2. 710 1.378 27.40 1.37 0.58
3. 744 1.418 28.34 1.417 0.07
4. 750 1.419 28.25 1.412 0.49

CONCLUSION:

1. The above verifies the formula for time period of compound pendulum i.e. it
varies directly to the square root of (2L) double of length.
2. With the increase in length time period also increases.
3. There is very small difference between theoretical (actual) and experimental
value.

SOURCES OF ERROR:

1. Time lag in starting stopwatch

2. The instrument may be placed on slanted position
3. Parallax error
4. Calibration error
5. Unbalanced pendulum
6. Time lag in displacing pendulum
7. Air friction / damping
8. Loose grip of pendulum

PHYSICAL APPLICATIONS:

1. It is used to determine gyradius

2. Incorporating suspension system
3. Sail boats
4. Wheelbase
5. It is used to determine mass position of Olympic class sailboat hulls
6. Diving boards
7. Swings
8. Clocks

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