#1 The Simple Pendulum & Basic Methods

Pre-Lab Report (4 pts) Lab section:

Name & Surname: Student #:

You must complete this page YOURSELF using a pen before coming to the lab session and hand it in YOURSELF in
the first 5 min. of the session. You MUST justify your answers, NO COPYCAT answers, or NO credits!
Please read the relevant presentation on PHYS LAB Website and answer the following questions. You
should refer to the Basic Methods section in your Lab Book.

Q1. Answer the following Questions briefly:

1. What is measurement?
2. Provide definitions for Precision and Accuracy and explain the difference between
them.
3. Provide definitions for Mean and Standard Deviation.
4. What are the types of errors? Provide definitions for each type with an example.

Q2. In this experiment, a simple pendulum is going to be studied.

𝐿
1. From the expression for gravitational acceleration, 𝑔 = 4𝜋 2 𝑇 2 perform error
propagation for the gravitational acceleration in terms of L and T.
2. What are the possible sources of systematic errors in this experiment? Answer this
question with respect to the classification in your book.
3. At what point of its swing, does the ball have its maximum velocity? Maximum
acceleration?
4. Assume that your pendulum passes through its equilibrium point every second. What is
the period of this pendulum? What must be the length of this pendulum?

Q3. No partial credit for incorrect answers! Be mindful of significant figures and rounding.

a. If we were to write 100 with 2 significant figures =

b. 0.320 has ........ significant figures.
c. 6.3821717 x 0.1234 =
d. 2.2814 – 1.86 =
e. Log (253.3) =
f. If a stack of 72 coins measures a height of 11.3 cm with a ruler, what is the height of a
single coin in millimetres (mm)?"
g. (2.425 + 1.5) x 173.4 =
h. cos(56.30) =

"Please note that once you complete this assignment carefully and thoughtfully, handling all the
Fall 2023

reports throughout the semester will become much easier. Good luck!"

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PHYL 101
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#1 The Simple Pendulum & Basic Methods

(YOU MAY WRITE YOUR ANSWERS DOWN!)

Fall 2023

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PHYL 101
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 #1 The Simple Pendulum & Basic Methods

1 Lab Report Lab section:

Name & Surname: Student #:

You must complete this report YOURSELF except DATA taking parts! Use a pencil for plots only and a pen
for the rest! You MUST show your work clearly, NO COPYCAT analysis allowed, or NO credits!

OBJECTIVE : To study the motion of a simple pendulum and to determine the acceleration due
to gravity using a simple pendulum.
THEORY : For small angular displacements less than about ten degrees, it can be shown that the
motion of a point mass attached to the end of a string of length L is a periodic motion with the
period:

L
T = 2
g

We can calculate the gravitational acceleration, g, if we

measure the length of the string and the period of oscillations:

L
g = 4 2
T2
APPARATUS : A string of length L, a stopwatch, a metal ball
and a meter stick.
PROCEDURE :

• Choose an initial length for the pendulum which

should not be less than 120 cm.

• Set the pendulum into oscillation making sure that

the maximum amplitude is less than ten degrees.

• Measure the time, t, for

10 complete oscillations and
support determine the period, T,
corresponding to the chosen
length.
string of
Length L

• Repeat this for 4 more

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mass m length values. Calculate g for

each measurement.

PHYL 101
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 #1 The Simple Pendulum & Basic Methods

2 DATA-TAKING

Description Symbol Value & Unit # of Significant

Figures

Acceleration

due to gravity gTV = ................................. ................

Number of

Oscillations N = ................................. ................

Length of # of 10 periods # of One Period # of

Pendulum Significant Significant Significant
t( ) T( )
Figures : Figures : Figures :
L( )

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PHYL 101
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 #1 The Simple Pendulum & Basic Methods

3 CALCULATIONS & RESULTS

Symbol Calculations (show each step) Result & Unit

g1 = ............................................. .....................

g2 = ............................................. .....................

g3 = ............................................. .....................

g4 = ............................................. .....................

g5 = ............................................. .....................

gaverage = ............................................. .....................

% Deviation for g: ....................................... ....................

...............................................................

Consult to the resources for this experiment from PHYS LAB Website:
Fall 2023

PHYL101 Intro Presentation #1 PHYL101 Lab Book

PHYL 101
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