LAP REPORT:

THE SIMPLE PENDULUM

Author: Muhammad Sohaib Alam
 Content Page number

Abstract 2

Objective 2

Theory 2

Apparatus 5

Procedure 6

Result and Analysis 6

Discussion 12

Conclusion 12

References 12

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1.0 Abstract:
The experiment was carried out to show that the mass of the bob has no effect on the period of the
oscillation. In the experiment, both the length and the mass of the bob were varied. Other variables
such as the angle of displacement were kept constant in the experiment. The experiment performed
served its purpose well. The experiment clearly showed that the mass of the bob has no or
negligible effect on the period of the oscillation while changing the length has a direct relation
with the period of oscillation.

2.0 Objective:
The objective of the experiment was to show that the period of oscillation for a pendulum is
independent of the mass of the bob. The gravitational acceleration, ‘g’, was also determined from
the experiment.

3.0 Theory:
A simple pendulum consists of a bob suspended by a light (massless) string of length ‘L’ fixed at
its upper end. In an ideal case, when a mass is pulled back and release, the mass swings through
its equilibrium point to a point equal in height to the release point, and back to the original release
point over the same path. The force that keeps the pendulum bob constantly moving towards its
equilibrium position is the force of gravity acting on the bob. The period, ‘T’, of an object in simple
harmonic motion is defined as the time for one complete cycle. The figure, A, shows the forces
acting on a simple pendulum. The dashed line represents the gravitational force acting on the bob
whereas, the dotted lines represents the gravitational force resolved into its horizontal and vertical
components. The velocity of the bob always acts in the x-axis and is tangent to the circular path of
the pendulum.

Figure A

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From the figure above it can be seen that the driving force of the pendulum is;
𝐹 = −𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 (A)
Note: Negative sign in equation A because acceleration, g, is acting downwards.
Considering the displacement of the bob from its equilibrium position to be ‘S’, then the
acceleration will be as:
𝑑2𝑠
→ 𝑎𝑐𝑐 → 𝑠̈
𝑑𝑡
Newton’s 2nd law of motion states that:
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
∴ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑠̈ (B)
Comparing equation A and B, we have;
−𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝑠̈ (1)
And then the bob makes an angle ‘𝜃’ with the vertical, then the displacement‘s’ of the bob is given
by;
𝑠 = 𝐿𝜃
𝑑2𝑠
∴ = 𝐿𝜃̈
𝑑𝜃 2
𝑠̈ = 𝐿𝜃̈ (C)

Substituting equation (C) in equation (1) gives:

−𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝑠̈

−𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝐿𝜃̈ (2)

Rearranging equation (2) gives:

𝑚𝐿𝜃̈ + 𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 0
𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜃̈ =
𝐿
𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜃̈ = −
𝐿
𝑔 𝑔
∵ 𝑤 = √𝐿 ∴ 𝑤2 = 𝐿

→ 𝜃̈ = −𝑤̈ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

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For small angle, the approximation 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝜃 is used:

𝜃̈ = −𝑤 2 𝜃

𝜃̈ + 𝑤 2 𝜃 = 0
The time period of a simple pendulum is given by:
𝑤 = 2𝜋𝑓
2𝜋 1
𝑤= ∵𝑓=
𝑇 𝑇
2𝜋
𝑤= (D)
𝑇

𝑔
𝑤 = √𝐿 (E)

Comparing equation (D) and equation (E):

2𝜋 𝑔
= √
𝑇 𝐿

𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √
𝑔

Squaring on both sides, we have;

4𝜋 2 𝐿
𝑇2 = (5)
𝑔

4.0 Apparatus:
The following apparatus were used in the experiment:
 Two pendulum bobs
 Thread
 Meter rule
 Stopwatch
 G-clamp
 Clamp
 Retort stand

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 Figure B

5.0 Procedure:
The experiment was performed by the following procedure:
1. The smaller bob was attached to the thread.
2. The length, L, was set to 1m initially, and then tied to the pendulum setup as in figure B above.
3. The bob was displaced slightly to the side and then released. The time, t, was noted for 20
oscillations using a stopwatch.
4. Without interruption the oscillations, time, 𝑡2 , for further 20 oscillations were noted down.
5. The steps 1-4 were repeated to obtain six more sets of readings each time with length, L,
decreased by 0.10 m.
6. The steps 2-5 were repeated with a heavier bob.

6.0 Results and analysis:

After the readings were taken, they were tabulated in the table as follows:

S.No Length Oscillations Time t1 Time t2 Average T (s) T2 (s2)

(m) (s) (s) t (s)
1 1.00 20 40.47 40.22 40.48 2.02 4.10
2 0.90 20 38.80 37.50 38.15 1.91 3.64
3 0.80 20 36.50 36.40 36.45 1.82 3.31
4 0.70 20 34.50 34.27 34.39 1.72 2.96
5 0.60 20 32.23 31.71 31.97 1.60 2.56
6 0.50 20 29.37 29.18 29.28 1.46 2.13
7 0.40 20 26.25 25.72 25.98 1.29 1.68
Tabulated results for the smaller bob

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 S.No Length Oscillations Time t1 Time t2 Average T (s) T2 (s2)
(m) (s) (s) t (s)
1 1.00 20 41.19 40.75 40.97 2.05 4.19
2 0.90 20 39.17 39.21 39.19 1.96 3.84
3 0.80 20 37.10 36.90 37.00 1.85 3.42
4 0.70 20 35.30 34.80 35.05 1.75 3.06
5 0.60 20 32.60 32.27 32.44 1.60 2.56
6 0.50 20 29.70 29.80 29.75 1.49 2.21
7 0.40 20 27.23 26.68 26.95 1.34 1.81
Tabulated results for the bigger (heavier) bob

6.1 Sample calculations:

The following steps were taken to calculate the values of averages ‘T’ and ‘T2’. The following
sample calculations is for the pendulum with small bob and length of 0.80m.

t1=36.50 s t2=36.40 s

𝑡1 + 𝑡2
Average t = 2

36.50 + 36.40
2
36.45 𝑠

𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡
Time period T = 2

36.45
= 1.82 𝑠
20

𝑇 2 = 1.822 = 3.31 𝑠 2

6.2 Graphical analysis:

Two graphs for each bob were plotted with T2 against L. The graphs are on the following two
pages.

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 From the graph of the smaller bob:

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 From the graph of the bigger (heavier) bob:

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7.0 Discussion:
In the experiment carried out, length ‘L’ of the pendulum was the independent variable whereas
the time period ‘T’ of the pendulum was the dependent variable. While plotting the graphs, the
length being the dependent variable was taken on the x-axis while the square of the time period on
4𝜋2
the y-axis. The gradient of the graph equaled 𝑔 . After the graph was plotted, there were few
scattering of the coordinates due to the experimental errors this line of best fit was drawn. A
straight line was obtained. A straight line clearly shows that the relationship between the length
‘L’ and the square of time period ‘T2’ is directly proportional. From both the graphs, the value of
the gravitational acceleration equaled 10.31 ms-2 (for the light bob) and 9.55 ms-2 (for the heavier
bob). Both the values of acceleration found out were close to the actual gravitational acceleration
i.e. 9.81 ms-2 .This clearly demonstrates that the mass of the pendulum do not have an effect on
the acceleration of the pendulum. Also found out from the experiment was that the time period of
the oscillation is independent of the mass since the gradients if both the graphs were near each
other i.e. 3.81 s2m-1 for the lighter bob and 4.13 s2m-1 for the heavier bob. Though, the
experiment was done to keep the errors the minimum, there still were some systematic and random
errors in the experiment. The time for the oscillations were noted via a mechanical stopwatch,
Using mechanical stopwatch resulted in zero errors as well as parallax errors while reading off the
scale. Human reaction error could have also contributed to the deflection of the readings. These
errors could have been avoided by using an electronic stopwatch or light gates. The experiment
should have also been performed with a smooth surfaced bob to make it more aerodynamic. And
the pivot should have been smoother to reduce the friction Also to note that the uneven air
conditions in the laboratory due to open windows may have also resulted in some false readings.

8.0 Conclusion:
The experiment performed successfully fulfilled its purpose. After the experiment, it was shown
that the period of oscillation for a pendulum is independent of mass. Also it was shown that the
mass if the bob has no effect on the acceleration of the pendulum.

9.0 References:
 Karim Ruslawati (2006). Simple Pendulum. Available: http://fizik-
ruskawati.blogspot.com/01/simple -pendulum-experiment.html.
 R.C.Hibbeler (2007). Engineering Mechanics. 11th Edition. Singapore.Pearson Education
 John Alan. (2003). The Simple Pendulum. Available: http://www.123helpme.com

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