Pendulum Lab

The Simple Pendulum.
Physics 213
We will experimentally determine the functional relationship between the length of a simple pendulum and
its period, and use the data obtained to determine the acceleration due to gravity, g.
Pre-lab assignment:
1. Read these lab instructions carefully.
2. Read the appropriate section of your text to find the functional relationship between the length of the
simple pendulum and its period.
3. Write out the title, objective, and a short discussion of the theory for the lab. Include a labeled sketch
of the apparatus which is simply a small mass hanging from a string.
4. How does this method of measuring g compare to the method from the Acceleration of Gravity lab from
the beginning of the semester? What value did you obtain for g ± δg in that lab? Be able to compare
the accuracy and precision of your results from these two labs.
Lab instructions:
We will measure the period of the oscillations by measuring the time for at least 25 complete oscillations
(more for the shorter lengths). The period of the pendulum is then just the total time divided by the number
of complete oscillations. The uncertainty in the period is just the uncertainty in the total time (probably
about 0.5 sec when you include reaction time) divided by the number of oscillations measured. The idea is
to measure a large number of oscillations so that we can make δT so small that we don’t need to take it into
account in the final error analysis.
We will measure the length of the pendulum by using a 2 meter stick. The length is defined as the distance
from the center-of-mass of the bob to the pivot point. Be sure to stretch the string appropriately so that the
length measured matches the actual length when hung from the pivot.
Procedure:
Pre-made strings are available in increments of approximately 0.25 m from 0.25 m up to about 1.75 m.
Make careful measurements for each of these lengths (7) and record T and L ± δL.
1. From looking at the data you collected above, you can make some general statements. For example, it
is clear that as L increases the period also increases. A closer look may reveal that this is not a linear
relationship. (i.e., the period does not increase in direct proportion to the increase in length).
2. We will assume a dependence between T and L of the form:

1
T = kL 2
√
where k is a constant to be determined. If the plot of L vs T is a straight line, then you will have
√
verified that this is the correct dependence of T on L. In order to determine k, make a plot of L
(horizontal axis) vs T (vertical axis), then the slope of the resulting line is the constant
2π
k=√ .
g
Error Analysis:
Each item measured has an uncertainty associated with it. You will calculate the final uncertainty in your
measured value of g which is based on the individual uncertainties of the quantities measured using the rules
in the Errors and Treatment of Data document.
δT Confirm this value is small enough to ignore.
δL Estimate the uncertainty in the length by taking into account how the string stretches, your ability to
identify the center of mass of the bob etc. The uncertainty in the lengths may be different from each
other, use the keen judgment that you have developed over the course of the semester.
√ √
δ L Each point on your graph should have a horizontal error bar representing the uncertainty in L deter-
mined using the rules of error propagation.
δk From your graph, determine δk using the error bars to help you estimate the uncertainty.
δg Using the rules of error propagation calculate the error in g.
Preparation for Quiz:

In your conclusions section you should compare the value of g to the theoretical value 9.80665 sm2 . Does
it fall within the experimental uncertainty? If your results do not agree within the uncertainty, discuss the
possible causes for the discrepancy. For each possibility, try to determine if it would affect the result in the
same direction as the discrepancy in your result.

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The Simple Pendulum.

1. Read these lab instructions carefully.

2. We will assume a dependence between T and L of the form:

δT Confirm this value is small enough to ignore.

δg Using the rules of error propagation calculate the error in g.

Preparation for Quiz:

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