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Lab Report On Measuring Gravitational Acceleration

This experiment was done in order to measure gravitational acceleration using simple pendulum. This is a lab report done by a student and uploaded for educational purposes.

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kpasindu
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11K views14 pages

Lab Report On Measuring Gravitational Acceleration

This experiment was done in order to measure gravitational acceleration using simple pendulum. This is a lab report done by a student and uploaded for educational purposes.

Uploaded by

kpasindu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Measuring gravitational

acceleration using simple


pendulum

Pasindu Hettiarachchi

Content
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and equipment
Theory
Method
Readings
Calculations
Comments
Conclusion and evaluation
References

Abstract:

Objective is to find gravitational


acceleration.
An acceleration on an object due to the
gravity is called as gravitational
acceleration.
In this experiment we use a simple
pendulum and by oscillating it we find the
oscillation time (T) of the pendulum.
We take different readings for T by
changing the length of the string.
We modify the readings according to
T2=

4
L
g

equation and plot a graph

according to the equation to take the


gradient and use that to calculate
gravitational acceleration.

Introduction
Gravitational acceleration is the acceleration
on an object cause by gravity. All small bodies
accelerate in a same gravitational field at the
same rate relative to the center of mass if we
neglect air resistance. The equality is true
regardless of the masses or compositions of
the bodies. (Gerald & Stephen, 2001)
The value differ at different points on earth
depending on altitude and latitude and
objects with low densities do not accelerate
as rapidly due to air resistance.

Materials and Equipment:


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Stop watch
Simple pendulum
Stand
Meter ruler
Pointer
Non elastic string

When choosing the string make sure to


check whether its non-elastic. Otherwise
the elasticity will affect the readings.
The experiment generates more accurate
results if we use metallic pendulum and a
very light string. (Anon., 2015)
The stand should be stable.
Make sure to check the functionality of the
stopwatch before start.

Theory:
L
( g)
T =2
T 2 =(2 )2
T2=

L
g

4 2
L
g

We take T as the dependent variable and


L as the independent variable.
2

T2=

4 2
L
g

Y
m
X
When drawing the graph, we take T values
to the y-axis and L values to the x-axis.
(Anon., 2011)
2

Method:

1.
Attach the string with the
pendulum to the stand and make sure it
swing freely without hitting anything.
2.
Set the length of the string
to 40cm and the value should be recorded
on the data table under readings.
3.
Release the pendulum at
an angle of (<10 degrees) and after the
first oscillation start counting.
4.
Measure the time for 10
oscillations and then set the length to the
next value 50cm and release the
pendulum at the same angle to measure
time for 10 oscillations.
5.
Repeat the
until we get 6 readings.

same

steps

6.
Again repeat the steps with
a different person and get 6 readings to
reduce the errors.

7.
Put the values into the data
table and complete the table by doing the
calculations.
8.
Then plot the graph by
putting the independent variable L on the
x-axis and dependent variable T on the
y-axis.
9.
Draw the best possible
straight line through (0, 0), 6 other
graphed points and through the calculated
point G.
2

10. Find the gradient of the graph by


choosing any two points within the line
and use it with the equation

g=

4 2
m

to find

Gravitational acceleration.
(Elizabeth, n.d.)
Make sure to release the pendulum
without giving any external force to get
the maximum accuracy.
String should be straightened before
releasing.

Readings:
L(
m)

0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

t1 for
10
oscillatio
ns(sec)
25.2
28.1
31.0
33.5
35.7
38.2

t2 for 10
Average T
oscillations(s for 10
ec)
oscillations(s
ec)
25.1
25.2
28.2
28.2
31.0
31.0
33.6
33.6
35.9
35.8
37.9
38.1

(Anon., 2013)
= 3.14
2=9.87

T for 1 T (se
oscillati c)
on(sec)
2

1.26
1.41
1.55
1.68
1.79
1.91

1.59
1.99
2.40
2.82
3.20
3.65

Calculations:
Finding the best straight line (G);
G=

=0.4+0.5+0.6+0.7+0.8+0.9/6=0.65

=1.59+1.99+2.40+2.82+3.20+3.65/6=2.61

From the above calculations,


G=0.65, 2.61
We plot the graph within the point G and
through point 0.

To find g using the graph we use,


m=
g=

4 2
g

4 2
m

m= (2.4-0)/ (0.6-0)
m= 4

Using

g=

4
m

g= 4*9.87/4
g= 9.87 m s
2

Comments:
1.
Stopwatch should be a
perfectly working one.
2.
String should be nonelastic, otherwise there will be errors in
the experiment.
3.
Experiment generate
more accurate results if we use a metallic
pendulum (bob).
4.
The stand should be
perfectly aligned and stable to do the
practical as in to get correct readings.

5.
The surrounding should be
clean and the pendulum should not hit
with anything while doing the practical.
6.
Choose a low airflow area
to do the practical.
7.
Angle should be the same
throughout the practical when releasing
the pendulum.

Conclusion:
1.
According to the results, we think that
the gravitational acceleration is
approximately 9.87 ms .
2.
The slight change in the final answer
must be due to human errors.
1

Evaluation:
There were few weaknesses in this practical
such as choosing right materials, etc. but with
all those we manage to get a result which just

has a slight difference from the original value


for the gravitational acceleration.

References
1.Anon., 2011. Simple Pendulum. [Online]
Available at:
http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/science/physic
s/lab231hybrid/pendulum/pendulum_instructio
ns.htm
[Accessed 02 05 2015].
2.Anon., 2013. Simple pendulum experiment.
[Online]
Available at: http://fizikruslawati.blogspot.com/2013/01/simplependulum-experiment.html
[Accessed 03 05 2015].

3.Anon., 2015. DETERMINATION OF


GRAVITATIONAL ACCELERATION USING A
SIMPLE PENDULUM. [Online]
Available at:
http://web.tuke.sk/feikf/FEI/LCFEI/G1_nav_E.pdf
[Accessed 02 05 2015].
4.Elizabeth, B. C., n.d. Using a pendulum to
measure gravity's acceleration. [Online]
Available at:
http://www.fofweb.com/onfiles/SEOF/Science_E
xperiments/6-33.pdf
[Accessed 03 05 2015].
5.Gerald, J. H. & Stephen, G. B., 2001. Physics,
the human adventure: from Copernicus to
Einstein and beyond. In: Physics, the human
adventure: from Copernicus to Einstein and
beyond. 3rd ed. s.l.:Rutgers University Press, p.
113.

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