WELCOM

• Group-8
E Physics Lab 2
• Experiment no. 4

Title: To determine the value of g, acceleration due

to gravity by means of compound pendulum.
Name ID
Index
Md. Joha Mondal 23-54073-3
 Theory
Shakhawat Hossain 23-51488-1
 Procedure
Md Shazidul Hoque Bhuyan 23-55757-3
 Observation
F M Ashek 23-53995-3
 Calculation Kaniz Fatema Mim 23-53989-3
 Discussion
Course Teacher- Dr. Md. Nurul Kabir Bhuiyan
 Experimental Theory
Let’s say a rigid body AB of mass m free to vibrate about a horizontal axis through the
center of suspension O (Figure-1). G is the position of center of gravity of the body for
which the distance from the center of suspension to center of gravity 𝑂𝐺 = 𝑙.

When the pendulum is at an angle 𝜃 to the vertical, the torque acting upon the body
due to its weight mg would be
𝜏 = 𝑀𝑔𝑙 𝑆𝑖𝑛θ
For small amplitude of vibrations, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝜃, so that
𝜏 = 𝑀𝑔𝑙𝜃 … … … … … … (1)
The torque produces an angular acceleration 𝛼 in the body. If I is the moment of inertia
of the body about ‘S’ then
𝜏 = 𝐼𝛼 … … … … … … . . (2)
So, from equation (1) and (2),
𝐼𝛼 = 𝑀𝑔𝑙𝜃 … … … … … (3)
Let K be the radius of gyration of the body and its moment of inertia about G is . Thus,
according to the parallel axis theorem, the total moment of inertia of the body is
𝐼 = 𝑀( +
Substituting the value of I in equation (3), we get,

𝑀( + )𝛼 = 𝑀𝑔𝑙θ
𝛼

As the angular acceleration is proportional to the angular displacement so the motion is

simple harmonic and the time period is,
𝑇 = 2𝜋 ………..(4)

By Comparing equation (4) with periodic time of a simple pendulum-

The period of the rigid body (compound pendulum) is the same as that of a simple
pendulum of length,
𝐿=
∴ − 𝑙𝐿 + = 0

In the figure, 𝑂𝐺 = 𝑙1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐺𝑆 = 𝑙2.Thus, 𝐿 = 𝑙1 + 𝑙2 = OG + GS = OS.

If this period of oscillation is T, then from the expression 𝑇 = 2𝜋 , we get,

𝑔=4
 PROCEDURE
 The center of gravity G of the bar was observed by counting the
number of holes.
 The metal wedge was inserted into the first hole in the bar towards
A, and the wedge was placed on the support S 1S2 in a manner that
allowed the bar to turn around S (figure-2).
 The bar was set to oscillate, ensuring that the amplitude of
oscillations was not more than 5. The time for 10 oscillations was
then noted.
 The length from the point of suspension to the center of gravity G of
the bar was measured.
 In the same way, the bar was suspended at holes 2, 3, …, and each
time the times for 10 oscillations were noted. Distances from the
center of gravity G for each hole were also measured.
 When the middle point of the bar was passed, it was turned around so
that the end B was now on the top. However, distances from the point of
suspension to the center of gravity G were continued to be measured.
 Now, the time period T was calculated from the time recorded for 20
oscillations.
 A curve was plotted in Excel with length as the abscissa and period as the
ordinate, with the center of gravity of the bar positioned at the origin at
the middle of the paper along the abscissa.
 The length measured towards the end A was placed to the left, and that
measured towards the end B was positioned to the right of the origin. A
line ABCD, drawn parallel to the abscissa, intersected the two curves at
A, B, C, and D. Here, the length AC or BD was considered as the length Figure-3
of the equivalent simple pendulum.
 A-End Observations B-End
Hole No. Distance Time for 10 Mean time Period Hole No. Distance Time for 10 Mean time Period
From CG Oscillations t (s) T=t/10 From CG Oscillations t (s) T=t/10
(s) (s)
L(cm) (s) L(cm) (s)

1 45 15.41 15.705 1.5705 1 45 15.6 15.855 1.5855

15.82 15.95
2 40 15.21 15.03 1.502 2 40 15.35 15.345 1.5345
14.9 15.36
3 35 14.82 14.785 1.4785 3 35 15.15 15.17 1.517
14.65 15.18
4 30 14.81 14.78 1.478 4 30 15.1 14.98 1.498
14.7 14.95
5 25 15.23 15.015 1.5015 5 25 15.05 15.03 1.503
14.98 14.98
6 20 15.61 15.41 1.541 6 20 15.55 15.63 1.563
15.55 15.70
7 15 16.25 16.305 1.6305 7 15 16.25 16.35 1.635
16.42 16.3
T vs. L Graph
From the T vs. L graph,
Length AC = 61.2 cm, Length BD = 64 cm
Equivalent length of compound pendulum, L =
Equivalent time of compound pendulum, L = 1.56 sec.

Calculation
2 2
4 𝜋 𝐿 4 × 3.1516 ×62.6
𝑔= 2
= 2
𝑇 1.56

% error =
 Discussion
 The experiment was conducted to determine the value of g, acceleration due to gravity.
 From the experiment we got the value of g was 1015.516 and our known value was 980 .
 From comparing between two values of g, there was an error of 3.62%.
 There might be some friction for that reason we got some error.
 We had to make sure that amplitude of oscillation must not be more than 5.
 In measuring time, we had to careful so that we could get close value.
 An accurate stop watch was used to reduce errors in time constant calculation.
Thank You