PCS 211 Muhammad Omar Iqbal, Vessy Yordanov

Experiment 2 The Motion of a Simple Pendulum

OBJECTIVES
The intention in performing this experiment was to observe the various periods which occur with
the motion of a pendulum. Measuring the periods of a pendulum as a function dependent on
amplitude, length, and on a bob mass were the main targets. More specifically, as each dependent
variable increased in value, an indirect relationship in comparison to time was assumed to be
seen. In this case, the dependent variable being either amplitude, length, or a bob mass in each
individual part of the experiment. The indirect relation we looked to find could after be explained
by the use of one of two equations:

l
T =2
g

Or

( )

4
T =
l
g
2

In these equations, Pi represents the curve made by the moving pendulum in relation to the
length of the arm and the force of gravity acting on the motion, all expressed as a function of
time. In using these formulas, we expected to deduce what happens in each time interval when a
pendulum is active and varying factors are changing the duration of the period. As
aforementioned, these factors were narrowed particularly to overall length of the pendulum,
amplitude of each sinusoidal curve made by the movement of the pendulum, and the bob mass
attached to the arm of the pendulum. Each factor was carefully examined to try to distinguish
what caused the period to change and by how much. In other words, in performing the
experiment and utilising either of these equations, it was anticipated to be able to define the
periods of motion of a pendulum.
PROCEDURE
In this experiment a few tools, both electronic and manual, were used to analyze the motion of a
pendulum. These materials included:
Electronic Tools

Manual Tools
Computer
Vernier computer interface
Vernier Photogate
Logger Pro program

Spherical masses (Stainless steel,

aluminum, wood)
2 ring stands and a pendulum clamp
Various lengths of string
Protractor
Meter Stick
1

PCS 211 Muhammad Omar Iqbal, Vessy Yordanov

Rod

Ring Stand

Ro
d

Pendulum

Strin
g

Mass

Vernier

Ring
Stand 2

Figure
1.1

The diagram in Figure 1.1 above illustrates the set up and manual materials that were used in order
to complete the experiment.
In order to successfully execute the experiment, a list of detailed steps was needed to be taken, as
well as numerous recordings to accurately determine what justified and altered the motion of a
pendulum. The testing was conducted in a three-part exercise.
PART 1: AMPLITUDE
The first part determined how the amplitude affected the period of the pendulum. This trial was
performed by using the stainless steel mass attached to a string, and taking six different amplitudes
ranging from 0 to 30 away from the Photogate. The length of the string and mass were kept
constant for this portion of the experiment, giving ls = 56.25cm and mss = 65.7g. Each degree
measurement was made in direct correlation to the sensor of the Photogate, measured using the
protractor. The mass was released from the measured angle, and the period was recorded each time.
The data was gathered based on a period of approximately ten seconds, for each of the six different
amplitudes, where increasing increments of 5 were used. The observations were then displayed in
both a chart and a graph. Our recordings were as follows:
Amplitude ( + )
5 2.695x10-4

Average Period ( + s)
1.513s

10 8.723x10-5

1.5161s

15 3.555x10-4

1.519s

20 6.792x10-4

1.522s

25 1.003x10-3

1.527s

30 1.0468x10-3

1.538s

PART 2: LENGTH
The second part of the experiment showed how a period can be dependent on the length of the
pendulum. The same stainless steel spherical mass of 65.7g and uniform amplitude of 20 for each
trial was used on a measure of varying lengths of string. The suggested lengths of the string could
range anywhere from near 0cm up to 2000cm. However, in order to complete the second portion of
the experiment, the string lengths selected ranged from 50cm to 100cm for this trial. The same
period length of about ten seconds was also applied to compute the average period per varying
length. The observations were once again recorded in both a chart and shown on a graph. The chart
recordings were as follows:
Length ( + cm)
50cm 4.157x10-4

Average Period ( + s)
1.400s

60cm 4.890x10-4

1.556s

70cm 1.681x10-4

1.671s

80cm 8.720x10-4

1.790s

90cm 4.819x10-4

1.895s

100cm 4.857x10-4

2.001s

PART 3: MASS
The final part of the experiment addressed the effects on the period of a pendulum when different
masses were applied. Each of the three types of spherical bob masses, including the previously used
stainless steel, aluminum, and wood which were used are of the same volume, but different density.
One sphere at a time was used at consistent amplitude of 20 from the Photogage, as well as a
uniform string length of 100cm. The mass and ring stands were kept equidistant from each other
remained constant for each type of sphere. Using the mass for each sphere which was provided in
advance instigated the calculations of the average period. The calculations are shown below:
Type of Mass

Mass (grams)

Average Period (seconds)

Stainless Steel

65.7 0.05g

2.001s 4.857x10-4

Aluminum

23.9 0.05g

1.986s 1.549x10-3

Wood

6.2 0.05g

1.967s 2.327x10-3

RESULTS
Table 1.0: The time interval recorded from observation of sphere, when released at various different
angles. The height was set at 80cm for all trails.

Amplitu
de
( + )
5
10
15
20
25
30

Averag
e
Period
( + s)
1.369
1.371
1.375
1.378
1.380
1.388

Graph 1.0: Comparison of the Amplitude of the pendulum by the period of the sphere motion.

1) Figuring out height of sphere at given angle:

cos 25=

adj
h yp

cos 25=

adj
0.8 m

adj=0.725 m

2) Calculated value for perfect lab

4 2
T2=
L
g

( )
4
T =(
0.725 m
g )
2

4 ( 3.14 )2
0.725 m
9.81 m
s2

( )

T2=

T =1.708 s

3) Percentage of error:
Experimental Error = experimented value theoretical value x100
Theoretical value
= (1.380 1.708) x 100
1.708
= 19.20 = -20% Error
Table 2.0: The time interval recorded from observation of sphere, when released at various different
heights. The angle was set at 20 for all trails.

Length
( +
cm) at
20
30
40
50
60
70
80

Average
Period
( + s)
1.120
1.295
1.443
1.560
1.692
1.807

Graph 2.0: Comparison of Length of the pendulum by the period of the

sphere motion.

Comparison of the Amplitude of the pendulum by the period of sphere motion.

2.000
1.800
1.600
1.400
1.200
1.000
0.800
0.600
0.400
0.200
0.000

Length (cm)

f(x) = 0.01x + 0.74

Period
Linear (Period)

20

30

40

50
60 (s)70
Period

80

90

1) Figuring out height of sphere at given height:

adj
adj
cos 20=
cos 20=
adj=0.376 m
h yp
0.4 m
2) Calculated value for perfect lab
2
4
T2=
L
g

( )
4
T =(
0. 376 m
g )
2

4 ( 3.14 )2
T =
0.376 m
9.81 m
s2
2

( )

T =1.230 s

3) Percentage of error:
Experimental Error = experimented value theoretical value x100
Theoretical value
= (1.120 1.230) x 100
1.230
= 11= 11% Error

Table 3.0: The time interval recorded from observation of three different spheres, when released at
50cm and 20 degree angle.
Averag
Type of
Mas
e
sphere
s
Period
(+
0.05
g)
( + s)
Solid
66.6
Metal
5
1.425
Aluminu
m
24.1
1.425
Wood
5.19
1.410
Graph 3.0: Comparison of three different spheres. Each made up of a different material.Comparison
of how mass related to the period of the sphere motion.

Comparison of various spheres made up of different materials.

1.430

Period (s)

1.425
1.420
Comparison of various spheres made up of different materials.
1.415
1.410
1.405
1.400
0

Mass (g)
10
20

30

40

50

60

70

1) Percentage of error:
Experimental Error = experimented value theoretical value x100
Theoretical value
= (1.410 1.425) x 100
1. 425
= 1.05= 1% Error