PHY116

Lab report

Name: M. Fahim Hoque

ID: 22211005
Group: 05
Data Collection Date: 16.02.23
Submission Date: 23.02.23

Experiment No: 03
Name of Experiment: To Determine the Value of g,
Acceleration Due to Gravity, By Means of a Compound
Pendulum
 Theory:
Compound pendulum is a rigid body of any shape free to
turn about a horizontal axis. In Figure 1, G, is the centre of
gravity of the pendulum of mass M, which performs
oscillations about a horizontal axis through O. When the
pendulum is at an angle θ to the vertical, the equation of
motion of the pendulum is Iw=Mglsinθ where w is the
angular acceleration produced, l is the distance OG and I
is the moment of inertia of the pendulum about the axis of
oscillations. For small amplitudes of vibrations, sinθ=θ,
so that Iɑ=Mglθ.

Figure 1

Hence the motion is simple harmonic, with period of vibrations,

T =2 π √ ❑

If K is the radius of gyration of the pendulum about an axis through G parallel to the axis of
oscillation through O, from the Parallel Axes Theorem, I =M ( K 2+ l 2), and so

T =2 π √ ❑

Since the periodic time of a simple pendulum is given by T =2 π √ ❑ , the period of the rigid
body (compound pendulum) is same as that of the simple pendulum of length
2 2
k +l ( )
L= 2
l

This length L is known as the length of the simple equivalent pendulum. The expression for L
can be written as a quadratic in (l). Thus from (2),
2 2
l −¿+ k =0 ( 3 )

This gives two values of I (l1 and l2) for which the body has equal times of vibration. From the
theory of quadratic equations,

l 1+l 2=l and l 1l 2 ¿ k 2

As the sum and products of two roots are positive, the two roots are both positive. This means
that there are two positions of the centre of suspension on the same side of C.G. about which
the periods (T) would be the same. Similarly, there will be two more points of suspension on
the other side of the C. G., about which the time periods (T) will again be the same. Thus, there
are altogether four points, two on either side of the C.G., about which the time periods of the
pendulum are the same (T). The distance between two such points, asymmetrically situated on
either side of the C. G., will be the length (L) of the simple equivalent pendulum. If the length
2
k
OG in Figure 1 is l1 and we measure the length GS= along OG produced, then obviously
l1
2
k
=l 2 . Or, OS=OG +GS=l 1+l2=L. The period of oscillation about either O or S is the same.
l1

The point S is called the centre of oscillation. The points O and S are interchangeable i.e., when
the body oscillates about O or S, the time period is the same. If this period of oscillation is T,
then from the expression T =2 π √ ❑ we get,

2 L
2 .
g=4 π .
T

By finding L graphically, and determining the value of the period T, the acceleration due to
gravity (g) at the place of the experiment can be determined.

Apparatus:
A bar pendulum, a small metal wedge, a beam compass, a spirit level, a telescope with cross-
wires in the eye-piece, stop-watch, and a wooden prism with metal edge.

Table (A): Observation for the time period T and the distance of the point of
suspension from end A.
At the top Hole no. Distance from A Time for 30 oscillations Mean Time Mean Period

(T)

End A 1 5cm i. 46.52sec 47.46sec 1.582sec

ii. 47.30sec
iii. 47.69sec

2 10cm i. 46.60sec 46.48sec 1.540sec

ii. 46.47sec
iii. 46.37sec

3 15cm i. 45.96sec 45.84sec 1.528sec

ii. 46.07sec
iii. 45.50sec

4 20cm i. 45.26sec 45.35sec 1.513sec

ii. 45.45sec
iii. 45.46sec

5 25cm i. 45.78sec 45.66sec 1.522sec

ii. 45.50sec
iii. 45.70sec

Table (B): Observation for the time period T and the distance of the point of
suspension from end B.

At the top Hole no. Distance from A Time for 30 Mean Time Mean Period
oscillations
 (T)

End B 1 95cm i. 47.86sec 47.76sec 1.592sec

ii. 47.73sec
iii. 47.70sec

2 90cm i. 46.39sec 46.62sec 1.554sec

ii. 46.67sec
iii. 46.82sec

3 85cm i. 46.60sec 45.96sec 1.532sec

ii. 46.03sec
iii. 45.85sec

4 80cm i. 45.30sec 45.36sec 1.512sec

ii. 45.40sec
iii. 45.38sec

5 75cm i. 45.61sec 45.72sec 1.524sec

ii. 45.30sec
iii. 45.33sec

Calculation:
Length AC = 76-18 = 58cm

Length BD = 83-24 = 59cm

AC + BD 58+59
Mean length, L = = =58.5 cm
2 2
Mean Time, T = 1.5395sec

2 L 2 58.5 2
g=4 π . 2
=4 π . 2
=974.44 cm/ se c
T ( 1.5395 )

Percentage of error:

Percentage of error = |standardstandard

value−observed value
value |x 100 %
=| |x 100 %
981−974.44
981

= 0.714%

Result:
The value of g, acceleration due to gravity, measured by using a compound pendulum is found to be
2
974.44 cm/se c with an error of 0.714%.

Discussions:
(i) Distances are to be measured from the end A or the point G, preferably from A.
(ii) In measuring time an accurate stop-watch should be used.
(iii) Oscillations should be counted whenever the line of the bar crosses the intersecting
point of the cross- wires, in the same direction.
(iv) Graph paper used should have sharp lines and accurate squares and should be
sufficiently large to draw smooth and large curves.
(v) Amplitude of oscillations must not be more than 5°.
(vi) Error due to the yielding of support, air resistance, and irregular knife-edge should
be avoided.

Graphs: