LAB REPORT

COMPOUND PENDULUM

SUBMITTED TO:
MS. FEHMA SAHREEN
MS. NIMRA FAROOQ

7 T H DECEMBER, 2021

GROUP A-3
RAJA MUHAMMAD AFFAN SYED MUHAMMAD HUSSAIN
SYED LAKHT-E-HASSAN FAHEEM HASSAN
TAUQEER HUSSAIN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGE
NO.
• DIAGRAM 3
• ABSTRACT 4
• OBJECTIVE
• APPARATUS
• INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENT 5
• DERIVATION 5-6
• PROCEDURE 7
• TABLES
o ABOVE CENTER OF GRAVITY
o BELOW CENTER OF GRAVITY 8
o FORMULAS
o KEY SYMBOLS
o VIRTUAL GRAPH 9
o GRAPHICAL CALCULATIONS 9-10
• SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND METHODS TO AVOID ERROR 10
• CONCLUSION 11

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COMPOUND PENDULUM EXPERIMENT

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ABSTRACT
We had to perform a compound pendulum experiment. By taking values of time period (T) for
one oscillation, we had to plot a distance (D) to time period (T) graph. Taking values from the
graphs and known formulas, we were able to find the value of gravitational acceleration (g) and
the error in our value. We were also able to calculate the theoretical radius of gyration (k) and
moment of inertia (I) using the stated derivation of this report. We made sure to take multiple
reading whereby we were able to obtain an average reading for all desired values.

OBJECTIVE
Students are already aware of the theory behind simple pendulum experiments. Now students
were to acquaint themselves with the theory of compound pendulum. The practical was aimed
at finding the experimental value of gravitational acceleration (g) and then finding error in our
obtained value. It was also aimed at finding the mean radius of gyration (k) and mean moment
of inertia (I) of the given pendulum. The practical was aimed at giving the students a proper
understanding of what gyration is, what the theory behind inertia. Also, during the discussion
of the practical, the students were taught how to derive the complex Time period (T) to
gravitational acceleration (g) relationship for a compound pendulum which has been stated
below.

APPARATUS
➢ A rectangular uniformly
weighed metal stick with
twenty non-equidistant holes
➢ A long retort stand
➢ A fiducial marker
➢ Electronic stopwatch
➢ Meter ruler/measuring tape
➢ A knife-edge hook
STOPWATCH METER RULER
➢ Electronic calculator

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INTRODUCTION OF EXPERIMENT
Any rigid body which is capable of vibrating about a horizontal axis passing through it, is called
a compound pendulum. The mass of simple pendulum is concentrated in its bob while the mass
of a compound pendulum is distributed evenly over its entire body. We were given a long
rectangular rigid metal stick with twenty non-equidistant holes on it. It had its center of gravity
(G) marked. We had to oscillate the given object from different holes (positions) and find its
moment of inertia (I) and radius of gyration (k) after detailed calculations and measurements.
The following relation was used to derive a formula for our stated experimental theory.

DERIVATION:
τ = mglsin 𝜃 (as θ is small so, 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 ≈ 𝜽)
τ = mglsin 𝜃 ----①
τ = Iα ----②

From ① & ②
mglsin 𝜃 = Iα
𝑀𝑔𝑙𝜃
α = (-) ----③
𝐼
Usually, I = Mk2+Ml2 ----④
I = M (k2+l2)

So, by substituting equation ④ in equation ③

𝑀𝑔𝑙 𝜃
α = (-) 𝑀(𝑘 2 +𝑙2 )
𝑔𝑙 𝜃
α = (-) (𝑘 2 +𝑙2 ) ----⑥

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As per theory:
𝐼
T = 2π√𝑚𝑔𝑙 ----⑤

Putting equation ③ in equation ⑤

𝑚𝑔𝑙𝜃/𝛼 𝑚𝑔𝑙𝜃 𝜃
T = 2π√ => 2π√𝑚𝑔𝑙𝛼 => 2π√𝛼
𝑚𝑔𝑙

𝜃
T = 2π√𝛼 ----⑦
Putting equation ⑥ in equation ⑦ we get,
𝜃
T = 2π√𝑔𝑙𝜃/𝑘²+𝑙²

(𝑘 2 +𝑙2 )𝜃
T = 2π√
𝑔𝑙𝜃

𝑘2
(𝑘 2 +𝑙2 ) 𝑙( +𝑙)
T = 2π√ T = 2π√ 𝑙𝑔𝑙
𝑔𝑙

𝑘2
( +𝑙)
T = 2π√ 𝑙 𝑔

𝑘2
L= +𝑙
𝑙

So,
𝐿
T = 2π√𝑔

As per theory
𝑘2
L= +𝑙
𝑙
𝑘 2 +𝑙²
L= 𝑙
𝐿𝑙 = 𝑘 2 + 𝑙²
𝑙 ² = 𝐿𝑙 + k2 (A quadratic equations in l forms)

Where,
a= 1, b= -L, c= +k2

Hence, the roots are

l1 & l 2
Therefore
l1l2 = c = k2 (As per theory)
l1+l2 = -L (As per theory)

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PROCEDURE:

Balance the pendulum on the retort

stand, with knife-edges at the
extreme hole. Level the support and
suspend the pendulum on it.
Displace the pendulum slightly (not
more than approximate 5°) and
release it to vibrate. Mark the
starting point as fiducial point. Note
the time for ten oscillations (t1) and
note it on the table. Repeat this
process to get another value of time for ten oscillations as t2. Note this value down too. Take
average of the two values and then divide it by ten to get the time period (T) of the pendulum
for one oscillation on the first hole. Then measure the length from the center of gravity up to the
half of the hole in which the knife edge was placed. Now shift the knife-edges to the second
hole and keep the center of gravity and initial position steady just like it was before. Find out
the time for ten oscillations and repeat the same process again until readings for all ten holes
above the center of gravity (G) are noted down. Now turn the pendulum over and repeat the
same procedure with the other ten holes which were initially below the center of gravity. These
readings will also be based in the same procedure and be noted down in the table below under
the heading, below center of gravity. After calculating the time period (T) in each case, we will
plot a graph. We will game “T” along y-axis drawn in the middle of the graph paper and distance
(D) form Centre of Gravity along x-axis on a large and suitable scale and plot a graph getting
two smooth and mean curves on both sides of the y axis. Draw a line ABCDE parallel to the x-
axis but not near the bends of the curve. Using the above stated theory and formulas, we will
calculate the value of radius of gyration (k) and the moment of inertia (I) of our pendulum. The
table bellows shows our obtained readings.

ABOVE THE CENTER OF GRAVITY (G)

S. No distance 10t1/s 10t2/s <10t>/s T/s
‘D’/cm
1 46.9 16.03 15.93 15.93 1.60
2 41.9 15.71 15.82 15.82 1.57
3 36.9 15.44 15.46 15.45 1.55
4 31.9 15.01 15.31 15.29 1.53
5 26.3 15.27 14.49 15.00 1.50
6 21.7 15.49 15.52 15.51 1.50
7 16.5 16.22 16.30 16.26 1.63
8 11.5 18.48 18.44 18.46 1.85
9 6.1 22.94 23.03 22.99 2.30
10 1.2 14.41 14.75(3 14.58(3 4.86
Oscillations) Oscillations)

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BELOW THE CENTER OF GRAVITY (G)

S. No Length 10t1/s 10t2/s <10t>/s T/s
‘l’/cm
1 49.2 16.03 16.20 16.12 1.61
2 43.9 15.84 15.66 15.75 1.58
3 38.7 15.36 15.43 15.40 1.54
4 33.9 15.02 15.19 15.15 1.51
5 28.5 14.86 15.93 14.90 1.49
6 23.7 15.01 15.19 15.10 1.51
7 18.8 15.52 15.25 15.39 1.54
8 13.2 17.36 17.29 17.33 1.73
9 8.6 20.43 20.40 20.42 1.73
10 3.6 8.59(3 8.49(3 8.54 2.84
Oscillations) Oscillations)

FORMULAS:
𝒕𝟏+ 𝒕𝟐 <𝒕>
<10t>= 10tavg= T=
𝟐 𝟏𝟎

KEY SYMBOLS:
“T”: Time period for one oscillation “M”/”m”: mass (in kg) = 1.61kg (given in
this case)
“10t”: Time taken for ten oscillations “g”: gravitational acceleration (in kgm/s2)
“τ”: Torque (in Nm) “l”: length (in m)
“I”: Moment of Inertia (in kgm2) “θ”: Angle of oscillation (in degrees)
“Α”: Rotational acceleration (in kgm/s2) “L”: Sum of k2 & l (in m)
“k”: radius of gyration (in m) “<a>”: Average of ‘a’ where ‘a’ can be
any measurement/calculated value
“G”: Center of gravity

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VIRTUAL GRAPH

CO M POUND PENDULUM EXPERIMENT

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0
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60

GRAPHICAL CALCULATIONS:
|AC| = 49.2 cm |A’C’| = 38.5 cm
|CD| = 17.5 cm |C’D’| = 20.0 cm
|AD| = 66.7 cm |B’E’| = 53.0 cm
|BE| = 62.9 cm |D’E’| = 14.0 cm
|DE| = 29.5 cm |A’D’| = 58.5 cm
T = 1.61 s Tc’ = 1.54s

𝐀𝐃+𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐃+𝐁𝐄
L1 = L2 =
𝟐 𝟐
66.7+62.9 58.5+53.0
L1 = L2 =
2 2
129.6 111.5
L1 = = 64.8 cm L2 = = 55.75 cm
2 2
L1 = 64.8 cm L2 = 55.75 cm

𝐿₁ 𝐿₂
g1 = 4π(𝑇𝑐)² g2 = 4π(𝑇𝑐)²
64.8 58.5
g1 = 4 x π x π x (1.61)² g2 = 4 x π x π x (1.54)²
g1 = 986.9 cm/s2 g2 = 928.86 cm/s2
Converting to meter by dividing by 100 Converting to meters by dividing by 100
g1 = 9.87 m/s2 g2 = 9.29 m/s2

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9.87+9.29
<g> = 2
<g> = 9.58 m/s2
<𝑔> −𝑔(𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙)
g error = x 100
𝑔(𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙)
9.58 − 9.81
g error = | |
9.81
g error = 2.34%

√𝐴𝐶.𝐷𝐶+ √𝐵𝐶.𝐶𝐸 √𝐴′𝐶′.𝐷′𝐶′+ √𝐵′𝐶′.𝐶′𝐸′

k1 = k2 =
2 2
√49.2 𝑥 17.5+ √16.0 𝑥 46.9 √(38.5)(20.0)+ √(19.5)(33.5)
k1 = k2 =
2 2
√861+ √750.4 √770+ √653.25
k1 = k2 =
2 2
k1 = 28.37 cm k2 = 26.65 cm
I1 = Mk2 = (1.61 x 28.37) I2 = Mk2
I1 = 1295.7 kgcm2 1.61 x (26.65)2
I1 ≈ 0.13 kgm2 I2 = 1143.8 kgcm2
I2 ≈ 0.11 kgm2

0.11+ 0.13
<I> =
2
<I> = 0.12 kgm2
0.27+0.28
<k> =
2
<k> = 0.275 ≈ 0.28 m

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND METHODS TO AVOID ERROR

❖ The support should be horizontal, and knife-edges should be sharp (Not broken or
damaged).
❖ Amplitude of vibration should be kept small.
❖ Time reading should be noted with the help of a good electronic stopwatch or sensor.
❖ We must take suitable and large scales and draw smooth and symmetrical curves on the
graph using a properly sharpened pencil.
❖ Multiple readings must be taken to reduce human reaction error.
❖ The same person must note time and count oscillations.
❖ Make sure the pendulum is tight and clamped so that it unnecessarily doesn't wobble way
too much.
❖ Make sure that the students are concentrating properly on the experiment because a minor
distraction could cause a big difference in readings like that of time.
❖ The object must be freely hanging and could easily oscillate.
❖ He object must be hanging with the knife edge properly so that during oscillations it doesn't
fall and cause an injury.

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CONCLUSION
After the experiment was completed, the acquired value of gravitational acceleration had a
minor error of approximately 2.34% which is like one fourth of 10%. Considering that there were
five students carrying out the same experiment in a limited time using a manual stopwatch and
two different groups of five were performing the same experiment simultaneously on the same
equipment, the error in the value gravitational acceleration (g) obtained is undoubtedly small
hence nearly negligible. This makes the obtained value of “g” pretty accurate. The given
experiment was successfully completed which led to the acquisition of the mean value of
moment of inertia which was nearly 0.12kgm2. A small yet convincing value of radius of gyration
(k) was also achieved which was 0.28m. The experiment was a success henceforth.

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