~Contents~

Introduction -------------------------------------------

Aim -------------------------------------------

Task Specification-------------------------------------------

Problem Solving -------------------------------------------

Further Exploration -------------------------------------------

Conclusion -------------------------------------------

Acknowledgements -------------------------------------------

~Introduction~

Time is a component of a measuring system used to sequence

events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between
them, and to quantify the motions of objects. Time has been a major
subject of religion, philosophy, and science, but defining time in a
non-controversial manner applicable to all fields of study has
consistently eluded the greatest scholars.
There are many ways to measuring time; some ancient methods
include using a sundial, or an hourglass. A pendulum can also be
used as a basis for measuring time. A simple pendulum consists of an
object, usually a pendulum bob, suspended by a string from a fixed
point. When displaces, and then released, the bob will swing back and
forth in a vertical plane under the influence of gravity. This periodic
motion can be used as a basis to determine time.
In this project work, I will focus on using the simple pendulum
to measure time, with the help of some mathematical knowledge.
 ~Aim~

The aims of carrying out this project work are to:

• Develop mathematical knowledge in a way which increases

students’ interest and confidence;

• Apply mathematics to everyday situations and to begin to

understand the part that mathematics play in the world we live;

• Improve thinking skills and promote effective mathematical

communication;

• Assist students to develop positive attitude and personalities,

intrinsic mathematical values such as accuracy, confidence,
and systematic reasoning;

• Stimulate learning and enhance effective learning

 ~Task Specification~
Identifying and stating all required information

Figure 1

The simple pendulum shown in Figure 1 is set in motion by releasing

the object through a small angle of displacement, (10 to 15 ) from
the vertical.

Procedure:

1. A simple pendulum is set up as shown in Figure 1 by attaching

an object to a string of length 60cm.

2. The pendulum is set in motion and the time taken, t s is

measured for 20 complete oscillations.

3. The period, T s, that is the time taken for one complete

oscillation is calculated.

4. Steps (1) to (3) are repeated using at least 10 different lengths of

strings with the minimum length of 5 cm.

5. The readings are recorded in a suitable table.

6. A graph of period (T s) is plotted against length ( ). The graph

obtained is commented.
 ~Problem Solving~

Results from the conducted experiment:

Length of Number of Time taken for number of complete Period, T

pendulum, l complete oscillation, t (s) (s)
(cm) oscillation
1st 2nd Average
(x)
Attempt Attempt
60 20 32 32 32.0 1.600
55 20 30 31 30.5 1.525
50 20 29 29 29.0 1.450
45 20 27 27 27.0 1.350
40 20 26 26 26.0 1.300
30 20 23 23 23.0 1.150
20 20 19 19 19.0 0.950
15 30 25 25 25.0 0.833
10 30 21 21 21.0 0.700
5 30 17 17 17.0 0.567
The Relationship between Period, T and length, l

The relationship between period and length is shown by the given

formula:

The gravitational acceleration,

g is not a variable, it is a
constant. Therefore the variables in the following formula are T and
.

(a) Suggest at least two pairs of variables for the horizontal and
vertical axes to obtain a linear relation.
For each pair, plot the graphs to draw the lines of best fit
manually and by using ICT.

To obtain a linear equation, the equation above can be squared to

form a linear equation.

The two pairs of variables are:

(i) T and ( T as the y-axis and as the x-axis)
(ii) and ( as the y-axis and as the x-axis)

In order to draw the graphs of these two pairs of variables, we need to

find the vales of and .

Period, T (s) Length of pendulum, (cm)

(cm)
1.600 2.560 60 7.746
1.525 2.326 55 7.416
1.450 2.103 50 7.071
1.350 1.823 45 6.708
1.300 1.690 40 6.325
1.150 1.323 30 5.477
 0.950 0.903 20 4.472
0.833 0.694 15 3.873
0.700 0.490 10 3.162
0.567 0.322 5 2.236

Graph of against
Graph of against

2
T
 (b) Estimating the gradients of both graphs

From the graph T against , we can find that the equation is

0.188x+0.115.From the formula , we can determine the
gradient if we compare the formula to the equation obtained.
Therefore, the gradient of the graph is 0.188. The equation relating
the period and the length is T = 0.188

From graph T2 against , we find that the equation is y = 0.041x +

0.112. From the formula , we can determine the gradient
if we compare the formula to the equation obtained. Therefore, the
gradient of the graph is 0.041. The equation relating the period and
the length is T 2 = 0.041 + 0.112

(c) Determining the value of the gravitational acceleration,

using the gradient of each graphs.

(i) From the graph T against √l,

or

T = y-axis
= x-axis

So gradient =

To find the value of gravitational acceleration, g ms-2

Since 1116.663 is in cm s-2, we have to change it into m s-2 by dividing
the value by (10 x 10 = 100). We get 11.17 m s-2. This value is bigger
than the original value of 9.807 m s-2.

Value of obtained from the experiment = 11.17

Value of actual value of = 9.807

Difference = 11.17 9.807

= 1.363

Percentage of error =
= 13.898%

Comment:
The value obtained from the experiment is higher by 1.363 from the
actual value of g, which is 9.807. The reason is the experiment not
conducted in an enclosed system, therefore, many factors can
influence the accuracy of the results obtained, such as air movement,
and air resistance.

(ii) From the graph of against

or

= y-axis
= x-axis

So gradient =

To find the value of gravitational acceleration, m s-2,

Since 986.96 is in cm s-2, we have to change it into m s-2 by dividing
the value by (10 x 10 = 100). We get 9.87 m s -2. This value is a little
bigger than the original value of 9.807 m s-2.

Value of obtained from the experiment = 9.87

Value of actual value of = 9.807

Difference = 9.87 9.807

= 0.063

Percentage of error =
= 0.642%

Comment:
If compared with the first graph, the percentage of error is much
smaller. The first value of obtained is slightly higher than the actual
value of , but the second value of obtained is a bit higher than the
actual value. This is probably caused by the presence of air
resistance. Another probable cause of the deviation of the value from
the actual value is that the pendulum bob did not oscillate in a plane
but in a circle.

(d) Using the graph with the least percentage of error to determine the
length of the string that will produce a complete oscillation in 1
second.

The graph with the least percentage of error is the graph showing
against .

The relationship between period and length is:

When = 1,
25.00cm is the length of string that will produce a complete oscillation
in 1 second.

Using a Simple Pendulum to Calculate the Pulse Rate

1. A simple pendulum is made out of a 25.00cm string ( to ensure that 1

oscillation is equivalent to 1 second)

2. A friend is asked to count the number of oscillation.

3. He is asked to give instructions when to start and stop (after 30

oscillations).

4. The counting of the pulse is started when he says start and stopped when
he says stop after 30 oscillations.

5. The process is repeated 3 times to get the value, Paverage.

6. The pulse rate = Paverage x 2.

~Conclusion~

A pendulum can be used to measure time, as shown and proven in

the experiment I conducted. The period, time taken for a complete
oscillation can be calculated using the formula below:

The period of the pendulum swinging in air and in water varies, as the
water resistance is stronger, compared to air resistance.
The pendulum is not affected by gravity, but due to internal
resistance, hinge resistance and air resistance, it is not able to
oscillate continuously, i.e becoming a perpetual machine.

As shown in the experiment, the pendulum is quite a reliable

instrument to calculate time, but is not used, as the process of
calculating time using a pendulum is very complex.

~Acknowledgements~

I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to my teacher,

________ for her wonderful guidance for me to be able to complete this
project work, to my parents for their continuous support to me
throughout this experiment, to my friends for their help, and to all
those who contributed directly or indirectly towards the completion of
this project work.

Throughout this project, I acquired many valuable skills, and hope

that in the years to come, those skills will be put to good use.