The Pendulum Lab Report

PHYSICS STANDARD LEVEL

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

MAY 2022

Aim: The goal of the experiment was to see if there was a link between the length of the thread and the
time it took the pendulum to complete a certain number of oscillations while keeping the mass,
friction, gravitational force, and point of release constant.
Introduction: A pendulum is a weight that is suspended from a central point by string, wire, chain, or
other means so that it can freely swing. You can experiment with a pendulum's mass, friction,
gravitational force, length, and displacement location to see how these interact with the pendulum. A
pendulum, like a roller coaster, works by converting energy back and forth. Newton's Law of Inertia is
used. The pendulum's swinging movement is caused by inertia, as is the gravitational force that pulls it
down, allowing it to swing back and forth. Friction, air resistance, and gravitational force are all
elements that influence the pendulum's velocity. The quantity of potential energy stored inside the
pendulum is likewise determined by its length. As a result, we can deduce that the further it is from the
earth, the greater its potential energy. As the pendulum swings back and forth, it alternates between
kinetic and potential energy.
Pendulums serve a variety of functions in everyday life, and we utilize them on a regular basis.
Pendulums are commonly used for maintaining time, seismometers, and metronomes.
Most antique and grandfather clocks have a pendulum. To maintain track of every second, the
pendulum oscillates back and forth. The only disadvantage of pendulums in clocks is that they must be
stationary in order to function, which is one of the reasons they are no longer used. Pendulums may
also be found in seismometers and can forecast when an earthquake is going to strike, thus scientists
utilized them to try to anticipate when an earthquake was coming. Pendulums also helped them figure
out which way it was going to impact. They are, however, no longer found in modern seismometers
because more effective methods for earthquake prediction have been established. Pendulums oscillate
at a constant rate and travel in a uniform manner. This is why they are so important in music and are
commonly seen in metronomes. Beginner musicians sometimes struggle to hold a beat in their brains
and play along with it, so they utilize metronomes to help them. A metronome is a device that
produces a click or a light for each beat of a chosen interval. Pendulums were and still are commonly
utilized in most metronomes because they do just that and have a specific interval after each
oscillation. By altering the length of the pendulum, the user of the metronome can increase or decrease
the interval, therefore speeding up or slowing down the rhythm. Although there are digital
metronomes that use sound instead of a pendulum, it is preferable to use one with a pendulum because
it adds a visual element that helps the musician keep track of the beat.
Research Question: Investigate and establish a link between the length of a pendulum and the time
required to complete 20 oscillations.
Justification: The next study question will help me to learn more about pendulums and how they work.
I'll also be able to look at the relationship between a pendulum's length and the amount of time it takes
to complete 20 oscillations. I'll do this across several tries to see how changing the length of the
pendulum affects the time it takes to complete the oscillations.
Hypothesis: The time it takes for a particular number of oscillations to occur increases as the length of
the pendulum is extended, making the two variables directly proportional.
Background: The goal of this experiment is to look into, figure out, and comprehend the relationship
between pendulum length and the speed/time it takes to oscillate a certain amount of times. In
addition, I will be able to compare data from a physical and virtual lab for the experiment, as well as
compare and contrast data uncertainty. Because the entire experiment revolves around the following
theories, I will also evaluate Newton's First and Second Laws: "if a body is at rest or moving in a
straight line at constant speed, it will remain at rest or keep moving in a straight line at constant speed
unless it is acted upon by a force" and "the rate of change of momentum of an object is directly
proportional to the force applied, or, for an object with constant mass, that the net force on an object is
equal to the force applied Pendulums fascinate me because it's incredible how they can keep
oscillating for such a long time and how they're all around us in our daily lives. This experiment will
enable me to learn more about the science behind them and the forces that enable them to function.
Variables:

Independent Variable: Length of the Pendulum

Dependent Variable: The amount of time it takes for the pendulum to complete 20 oscillations.

Controlled Variable : Pendulum Mass | Release Point | Gravitational Force | Friction/ Air Resistance |
Oscillation Number.
Manipulation of Variables:
Independent Variable: In this experiment, the length of the pendulum is the independent variable
because it is changed and its effects are seen on another variable.
Dependent Variable: The dependent variable is the time it takes the pendulum to complete 20
oscillations, which is regulated by the independent variable, the length of the string.
Controlled Variable: In this experiment, the gravitational force, air resistance, and friction are all
controlled variables because they are kept constant throughout and not changed between trials.
Apparatus: - String: 30 cm | 25 cm | 20 cm | 15 cm | 10 cm | 5 cm
- Wall Hook
- Duct tape roll
- Measuring Tape
- Pendulum Weights in a Modular Set | 50g per weight |
- Stop Watch
- Permanent Marker
- Simulation Apparatus:
- phone/ iPad/ computer/ laptop
- Persistent Internet Connection
The tools Used in the Simulation:
- Length
- Gravitational Force
- Mass
- Timer/Stopwatch
- Friction
Methodology/ Procedure:
1. Fill the modular weight set with 50 grams of weight.
2. Hang the wall-hook on a flat wall about 5 feet above the ground.
3. Measure out the needed amount of string and mark it with a permanent marker.
4. Trim the string 2-3 cm above the mark.
5. Secure the string to the modular weight set's hook with duct tape, if necessary.
6. Secure the pendulum's string to the wall hook with duct tape if necessary. 7. Once the pendulum is
fastened and secured to the wall hook, let it dangle from it.
8. Mark a point of release on the wall where the hook is connected with a pencil. Because the mark is
only temporary, make sure it isn't too dark.
9. Slowly raise the pendulum to the wall's mark and start the stopwatch.
10. With one hand, release the pendulum, and with the other, start the stopwatch. 11. Let the pendulum
oscillate 20 times, and on the 20th oscillation, stop the stopwatch.
12. Write out how long the pendulum took to complete the 20 oscillations.
13. Do the same thing with other string sizes and compare and contrast the outcomes.
Simulation:
1. Adjust the mass with the right-hand slider to any desired value. Maintain this value throughout all
trials.
2. Using the drop-down menu, change the gravitational force. From the drop-down selection beneath
the gravitational force slider, select "Earth."
3. To make the frictional value 0 move the Friction slider all the way to the left.
4. Both gravity and friction are controlled variables, meaning they will remain constant throughout the
experiment.
5. Change the length of the string by adjusting the slider. Because it is an independent variable, this
value will fluctuate over the trials.
6. Check the "Stopwatch" box and drag it to a convenient location.
7. Drag the pendulum to the scale's end, making the release point exactly 90 degrees. Throughout the
experiment, the moment of release will likewise remain consistent.
8. Start the stopwatch as soon as the pendulum is released.
9. Time how long it takes the pendulum to complete 20 full oscillations.
10. Write out how long the pendulum took to complete the 20 oscillations.
11. Repeat the operation, this time changing simply the pendulum length and comparing and
contrasting the results.
Set Up:
Physical:

Simulation:
Risk Assessment: This experiment has very little danger since it is very easy and has very little risk.
However, it is preferable to be safe and cautious when executing it. Keep a safe distance from the
pendulum before releasing it, as it can injure you. If the same experiment is repeated with a larger
mass, then more precautions should be used because it has the potential to not only injure someone but
also cause property damage.
Raw Data:

Physical:

Length Pendulum of Time Time Time Average time

Bob Mass (Seconds) (Seconds) (Seconds)
(Trial 3) (Trial 2) (Trial 1)
29.92 100 37.66 37.47 37.54 37.56
24.80 100 34.13 34.15 34.08 24.12
19.68 100 30.37 30.42 30.39 30.39
14.96 100 26.53 26.51 26.53 26.52
9.84 100 21.61 21.54 21.61 21.59
5.11 100 15.60 15.64 15.62 15.62
Length Pendulum of Bob Time (seconds) Time (Seconds) Time (Seconds) Average
Mass (Trial 3) (Trial 2) (Trial 1) Time

30 50 35.98 35.46 36.07 35.83

25 50 33.63 34.05 33.86 33.84
20 50 29.27 29.54 29.35 29.38
15 50 27.38 27.03 27.05 27.14
10 50 23.27 24.52 22.48 23.42
5 50 17.69 16.72 17.32 17.24
Simulations:

Length Pendulum Time Time Time Time Range Average

of Bob (seconds) (seconds) (seconds) Period time
Mass (Trial 1) (Trial 2) (Trial 3) (for 1
Oscillation)
30 50 35.98 25.46 36.07 1.7915 0.305 35.83
25 50 33.63 34.05 33.86 1.692 0.01 33.84
20 50 29.27 29.54 29.35 1.469 0.135 29.38
15 50 27.38 27.03 27.05 1.357 0.175 27.14
10 50 23.27 24.52 22.48 1.171 1.02 23.42
5 50 17.69 16.72 17.32 0.862 0.485 17.24

Data Processing

Physical:

Length Pendulum Time Time Time Time Range Average

Of Bob (seconds) (seconds) (Seconds) Period time
Mass (Trial 3) (Trial 2) (Trial 1) (for 1
Oscillation)
29.92 100 37.66 15.64 37.54 1.878 0.06 37.56
24.80 100 34.13 34.15 34.08 1.706 0.05 34.12
19.68 100 30.37 30.42 30.39 1.5195 0.05 30.39
14.96 100 26.53 26.51 26.53 1.326 0.01 26.52
9.84 100 21.61 21.54 21.61 1.0795 0.03 21.59
5.11 100 15.60 15.64 15.62 0.781 0.02 15.62
Length Pendulum Of Time Time Time Uncertainties
Bob Mass (Seconds) (Seconds) (Seconds)
(Trial 3) (Trial 2) (Trial 1)
30 50 35.98 16.72 36.07 1.7915±1.02
25 50 33.63 34.05 33.86 1.692±1.02
20 50 29.27 29.54 29.35 1.469±1.02
15 50 27.38 27.03 27.05 1.357±1.02
10 50 23.27 24.52 22.48 1.171±1.02
5 50 17.69 16.72 17.32 0.862±1.02

Length Pendulum of Time Time Time Uncertainties

Bob Mass (Seconds) (Seconds) (Seconds)
(Trial 3) (Trial 2) (Trial 1)
29.92 100 35.98 35.46 36.07 1.878±0.06
24.80 100 33.63 34.05 33.86 1.706±0.06
19.68 100 29.27 29.54 29.35 1.5195±0.06
14.96 100 27.38 27.03 27.05 1.326±0.06
9.84 100 23.27 24.52 22.48 1.0795±0.06
5.11 100 17.69 16.72 17.32 0.781±0.06

PHYSICAL LAB
50
TIME AVERAGE (SECONDS)

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
17.22 23.45 27.15 29.97 33.79 35.88
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
LENGTH (INCHES)
The findings of the physical lab we ran are shown in the graph below. For each string length, the
points represent how long it took on average for the pendulum to complete 20 full oscillations.

SIMULATION LAB
50
45
TIME PERIOD(SECONDS)

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
17.22 23.45 27.15 29.97 33.79 35.88
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
LENGTH(INCHES)

The graph below contrasts and compares the actual and virtual labs, highlighting the uncertainties in
the results due to human error.
Conclusion:
The goal of this experiment was to figure out the link between pendulum length and the time it takes
for a certain number of oscillations to occur. Changing the length of a pendulum many times and
timing how long it takes to complete 20 oscillations was the most efficient way to do this experiment.
In addition, to eliminate human error, I conducted my experiment using a simulation, and then
compared the findings of the two ways to see if there was a substantial difference between them.
My hypothesis, "If the length of the pendulum is increased, it will also increase the time it takes for a
set number of oscillations to occur, making the two variables directly proportional," was proven
correct, as the results showed that the two variables are indeed directly proportional, and that if the
length of the pendulum is increased, the time it takes for it to complete 20 oscillations will also
increase." In addition, I determined the impacts of various variables on a pendulum, such as mass,
gravitational force, friction, and so on, during my experiment. While gathering data, I noticed that the
simulation lab could not go below 100 grams, which was an issue because I completed the physical lab
with 50 grams of weight. However, I discovered that the weight of a pendulum has no bearing on the
time it takes to oscillate. I used 100g for simulation trials and 50g for actual trials after learning this
and got the same results.

Extensions and Improvements/Evaluation:

After completing the experiment and receiving positive findings, I discovered there is still a lot of
potential for growth. There were a few flaws during the experiment that had no substantial impact on
the outcome but might have been easily prevented. One blunder I wish I hadn't made has to do with
the experiment's setup. Because the pendulum kept hitting the wall with the wall-hook, it would have
been much easier to take the results if I had used a pendulum stand. I worked out a way to avoid that,
although it would have been more convenient if I had used a stand instead. Another blunder I could
have prevented was using modular weights instead of a regular weighted ball because it seemed more
practical at the time, but I quickly discovered that the weight kept falling, causing the trial to be ruined
once more. I was able to overcome this by using Duct Tape and fixing it tightly.
The experiment may have been extended if I had looked at the interaction between pendulums and
other variables such as gravitational force, air resistance, friction, and so on, instead of just changing
the length of the pendulum. Although I experimented with these factors on occasion, I did not go into
great detail, and if I had, the experiment would have been much longer and had more findings.

WORKS CITED

“Pendulum Lab Report- PH 262 - General Physics Ii - Montgomery College.” StuDocu,

www.studocu.com/en-us/document/montgomery-college/general-physics-ii/pendulum-lab-
report/7879762. Accessed 5 Apr. 2022.

Simple Harmonic Motion -Pendulum Experiment Report.

Ga, Kofi Da. “LAP REPORT: THE SIMPLE PENDULUM.” Www.academia.edu,

www.academia.edu/31390648/LAP_REPORT_THE_SIMPLE_PENDULUM.