Lab Report 03: Simple Pendulum

Course Code: PHY-102

Course Name: Physics Laboratory

Lab Section: 01

Group: 05

Instructor: Anika Bushra

Written by:

Tajrian Mahbub Tahin – Id: 233009112

Group Members:

1) Misbah Uddin Saad – Id: 233022312

2) Fabiha Ayman – Id: 233023512

3) Dhruba Sarkar – Id: 233006112

4) Amir Hossain – Id: 233003112

5) Jannatul Kawnine Ikra– Id: 233022712

Date: 21/03/24
Experiment No: 03

Experiment Name:
To study variation of time period with the effective length of a simple pendulum of a given mass
and interpret the result. Also plot its L-T2 graph.

Equipments:

1. A Clamp With Stand

2. Bob with Hook
3. Split Cork
4. Mobile Stop Watch
5. Vernier Callipers
6. Cotton Thread
7. Half Meter Scale

Introduction:

A simple pendulum comprises a heavy brass sphere attached to a hook, suspended from a rigid
stand via a weightless, inextensible, and highly flexible thread passing through a slit cork. This
setup enables oscillation in a single plane, devoid of friction, with a small amplitude (less than
150°), as depicted in Fig 1. It's worth noting that there's no such thing as an "ideal" simple
pendulum. In practice, we construct one by affixing a metallic spherical bob to a fine cotton
stitching thread.
 Fig 1

The spherical bob can be treated as a point mass located at its center, denoted as G. The distance
between the suspension point S and the center G of the spherical bob defines the effective length
of the pendulum, as illustrated in Fig 1.

L = l + h + r. This effective length, denoted as L, equals the sum of the thread's length (l), the
hook's length (h), and the bob's radius (r).

The motion of a simple pendulum follows Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), where the
acceleration of the pendulum bob is directly proportional to its displacement from the mean
position and always directed towards it. The time period (T) of a simple pendulum undergoing
small-amplitude oscillations can be determined by the following relationship:

T = 2 π √ (L/g)

Where, g = value of acceleration due to gravity and L is the effective length of the pendulum.

T2 = (4π2/g) X L

Or, T2 = KL (K= constant)

and g = 4π2(L/T2)

When plotting T against L, a parabola is formed, showing a quadratic relationship. When

plotting T2 against L, a straight line passing through the origin is formed, indicating a direct
proportionality between T2 and L.

Procedure:

1. Calculate the vernier constant and zero error of the vernier callipers as in experiment.

2. Using the vernier callipers to measure the radius (r) of the bob, also as in Fig 2.
 Fig 2.

3. Measure the length of the hook (h) as in Fig 3 and record it in table 6.1.

Fig 3

4. Adjust the length of the thread (l) to make the effective length (L = l + h + r) an integer (e.g., L
= 46.15cm), marking it as M1 with ink for ease of measurement.

5. Mark points M2 and M3 on the thread at distances of 53.15 cm and 41.15 cm

6. Pass the thread through a split cork, ensuring it emerges just from the ink mark (M1).

7. Secure the split cork between the clamp, aligning its separation line perpendicular to the
pendulum's oscillation path.

8. Fix the clamp on the stand and position it on the table so the bob hangs at least 2 cm above the
stand's base.
9. Mark point A on the table directly below the bob's rest position and draw line BC in Fig 4, 10
cm long, with point A at its center, along which the bob will oscillate.

Fig 4

10. Calculating the least count and zero error of the mobile stop watch, setting its hands to zero.

11. Manually move the bob to position B, to the right of A, and release it, ensuring it returns over
line BC without spinning.

12. Begin counting oscillations from the instant the bob passes through the mean position L,
where its velocity is maximum. Complete one oscillation as the bob traverses LL2, L2L, LL1,
L1L.
13. Start the stopwatch when the bob passes through position A and count oscillations until it
completes 20 as in Fig 5, then stop the watch. Record the time (t) for 20 oscillations in table 6.1.

Fig 5

14. Repeat the measurement at least 3 times for the same length.

15. Increase the thread length by 10 cm or 15 cm (to M2) and repeat the time measurement from
step 6 to 14.

16. Repeat step 15 for at least 3 more different thread lengths.

Observations:

Vernier constant:

Vernier constant of the vernier calipers, V.C. = 0.005 cm

Zero error, ±e = 0 cm

Diameter of the bob and length of hook:

Observe diameter of the bob: = (i) 1.301 cm, (ii) 1.303 cm, (iii) 1.303 cm
 Mean diameter of bob, d0 = 1.302 cm.

Mean corrected diameter of bob, d = d0 ±e = 1.302 cm.

Radius of the bob, r = d/2= 0.65 cm.

Length of the hook, h= 2.5 cm.

Standard value acceleration due to gravity, g1: 980 cm s-2

Table 6.1 Determination of time-periods for same lengths of the different pendulum.

Length Effective Time for 10

Radius of of the length oscillations Mean time Time period
Bob bob with thread L=l+ T =10 s
no. zero error and (h+ r) t 1 +t 2+ t 3
correction hook, cm t1 t2 t3 t= s
3
(l+h) cm s s s

1. 0.65 43+2.5 46.15 27.64 27.39 27.17 27.4 1.36

2. 0.65 50+2.5 53.15 29.07 29.03 29.15 29.08 1.46

3. 0.65 38+2.5 41.15 25.61 25.47 25.53 25.54 1.28

Data & Calculation:

We know, T = 2 π √ (L/g)

Experimental value, g = 4π2(L/T2)

g1 =985.03 cms-2 g2 =984.36 cms-2 g3 =991.53 cms-2

g = 986.97 cms-2

So, %error = (g-g1)/g *100

 = 0.70%

Graph:

L vs T2 Graph:

Plot a graph with L on the X-axis and T2 on the Y-axis using the data from Table 1. Ensure the
origin is set at (0,0), as the L - T2 curve forms a straight line passing through this point, as shown
in Fig 6.

Fig 6

Discussion:

The data analysis revealed a consistent pattern, indicating a systematic variation in the period
with changes in the pendulum's length. By comparing the experimental periods with the
theoretical predictions derived from the formula T = 2π√(L/g), we observed a close alignment
between the two sets of values. This agreement between theory and experiment validates our
initial hypothesis, confirming the direct relationship between the pendulum's length and its
period. The experimental outcomes affirm the fundamental principle that the period of a simple
pendulum is directly proportional to the square root of its length, as expressed by the equation T
= 2π√(L/g). This finding underscores the crucial role of length in governing the oscillatory
motion of a simple pendulum and underscores the principles underlying simple harmonic
motion. Overall, the results of this experiment underscore the fundamental relationship between
length and period in simple pendulum motion, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of
oscillatory systems.