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Exp 1. Simple Pendulum

1. The document describes an experiment using a simple pendulum to evaluate the acceleration due to gravity. 2. The experiment involves varying the amplitude, mass of the bob, and length of the string, while measuring the period of oscillation. 3. Key results include period increasing with amplitude and mass, and period increasing with the square root of the length, following the theoretical relationship that relates period to length.

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211 views3 pages

Exp 1. Simple Pendulum

1. The document describes an experiment using a simple pendulum to evaluate the acceleration due to gravity. 2. The experiment involves varying the amplitude, mass of the bob, and length of the string, while measuring the period of oscillation. 3. Key results include period increasing with amplitude and mass, and period increasing with the square root of the length, following the theoretical relationship that relates period to length.

Uploaded by

thaddymo11
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA


SCHOOL OF APPLIED AND HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS
PRATICAL MANUAL
EXPERIMENT 1: SIMPLE PENDULUM
Objective
To evaluate the acceleration due to gravity by a simple pendulum method.
Apparatus
i. 1m long string
ii. Stop watch

iii. Mass bobs of various weight

iv. Metre rule


v. Protractor

vi. Clamp and stand

Theory
A simple pendulum is an idealized model comprising a point mass suspended by a
weightless, stretchable string in a uniform gravitational field such that when the mass
bob is slightly pulled to one side of its equilibrium position and released, its equilibrium
position executes a simple harmonic motion. The theory suggests that the determination
of the period f oscillation of a simple pendulum is governed by three aspects i.e.
amplitude, length and mass. Hence, it is desirable to separate and study in details the
effects of the variable on the period of oscillation of the pendulum.

TUM is ISO 9001:2015 Certified


2

Procedure
A. Varying θ while L and M are kept constant.
Keep the length L of the string and mass M of the bob constant while you vary the
amplitude, θ, in the range 0-90. Time 20 oscillations each time you vary the amplitude
and evaluate the periodic time, T. tabulate your results and plot a graph of time T
versus θ. What do you observe?
Amplitude, θ Time for 10, oscillations Period T (s)
10
20
30
40

50
60
70

B. Varying bob mass, M, while L and θ are kept constant.


Keep a small amplitude, say 20 and the length of the string constant but vary the mass M
and with different masses time 20 oscillations and work out the corresponding periodic
time T. Tabulate your results and plot a graph of T versus M. What do you deduce?
mass (grams) Time for 10, oscillations (s) Period T (s)

20g

40g

60g

80g

100g

TUM is ISO 9001:2015 Certified


3

C. Varying length while θ and M are kept constant.


Vary the length L of the string at intervals of 20 cm while θ and M are fixed. At each
length, measure the time for 20 oscillations and evaluate the periodic time, T.
Length (m) Time for N, Period T T2
oscillations
10

20

30

40

50

60

70

i. Tabulate your results and plot a graph of T versus L. what type of graph do you
get?
ii. Plot a graph of 𝑇2 versus L. what type of graph did you get? What is its slope and
unit?
𝑙
iii. The theoretical relationship between T and L is given as 𝑇 = 2π√𝑔 ,Now evaluates

the acceleration due to gravity, g, from this theoretical relationship and your value of
k account for your discrepancies of x and g.
Solution
If your experiment was properly done, your results should suggest this relationship; 𝑡 =
𝑇 2 ∞𝐿 or 𝑇 2 = K𝐿 where k is a constant (gradient). To solve for K and g , we substitute it
in the gradient of the equation.

TUM is ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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