Department of Physics, SNS

Lab Demonstrator(s): Usman Naeem

Group: 13-B-04

Lab 03: Compound Pendulum

Sr. No. Name Reg. No.

1. Muhammad Ahmad Nazir 370307

2. Ahmad Razi-ullah 366191

3. Omais Waseem 390616

4. Taseen bin Hanzala 372518

5. Muhammad Moazam Nafees 369381

6. Muhammad Ahmad Asghar 372951

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 Compound Pendulum

Theory:

A rigid body, 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 but the mass of a
compound pendulum is distributed over its whole body.

By using a simple pendulum, we can calculate the value of gravitational constant. We

Rearranging we get,
T =2 π
√ L
g
2
4π L
g=
T2

We can measure the length L by means of meter rod whereas the time period can be calculated
by taking the time for 10 vibrations and dividing to get the time for a single vibrations.

Apparatus:

 Compound pendulum with two knife edges

Procedure:

1. Balance the pendulum on the wedge, with knife-edges at the extreme holes on both sides,
and mark the position of its center of gravity at G.

2. Level the support and suspend the pendulum on it. Draw a vertical line with a chalk along
the holes of the pendulum or paste a thin white strip of paper but not covering its holes.

3. Focus the eye-piece of the telescope till the cross-wires are distinctly visible. Now focus
the telescope on the pendulum from a distance of about 3 meters such that the vertical
cross-wire coincides with the line on the pendulum.

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 4. Displace the pendulum slightly (not more than 5°) and release it to vibrate.

5. Note the time for 10 vibrations and also measure the length from G up .to the bottom of
the first hole i.e., up to the axis about which the pendulum vibrates.

6. Now shift the upper and lower knife-edges to the 2nd hole on both sides to keep the C.F.
in its initial position and find out the time for 10 vibrations. Measure the distance form G
to the bottom of the second hole.

7. Repeat the process to note the time of 10 vibrations for each hole on both sides leaving
one or two holes near G. Also measure the corresponding distances form G In every case.

8. Calculate the time period T in each case.

9. Take T along y-axis drawn in the middle of the graph paper and distance form G along x-
axis on a large and suitable scale and plot a graph getting two smooth and mean curves on
both sides of G.

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 READINGS
For side A

Length of Time
No. of Obv. Time of 10 oscillations
pendulum Period(T)
t = (t1 +t2)/2
- (m) t1(s) t2(s) (s)
(s)
1. 0.475 15.89 15.89 15.9 1.59
2. 0.425 15.8 15.69 15.7 1.57
3. 0.375 15.3 15.31 15.3 1.53
4. 0.325 15.23 15.21 15.22 1.52
5. 0.27 15.09 15.1 15.1 1.51
6. 0.22 15.42 15.44 15.43 1.54
7. 0.17 16.26 16.31 16.28 1.62
8. 0.12 17.97 18.15 18.06 1.8
9. 0.07 22.66 22.51 22.58 2.25

For side B

Length of Time
No. of Obv. Time of 10 oscillations
pendulum Period(T)
t = (t1 +t2)/2
- (m) t1(s) t2(s) (s)
(s)
1. 0.49 16.2 16.23 16.21 1.62
2. 0.44 15.68 15.85 15.77 1.58
3. 0.39 15.36 15.36 15.36 1.53
4. 0.34 15.12 15.23 15.17 1.52
5. 0.29 15.49 15.09 15.29 1.53
6. 0.24 15.16 15.18 15.17 1.54
7. 0.183 15.97 15.87 15.93 1.59
8. 0.13 17.38 17.19 17.28 1.73
9. 0.08 20.66 20.77 20.72 2.03

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Graph

B A

A B C D E

L1

L2

A( -0.44, 1.59)
B( -0.195, 1.59)
C( 0, 1.59)
D( 0.195, 1.59)
E( 0.45, 1.59)

Calculations:

L1 = |AD| = √(−0.44−0.195)2 +(1.59−1.59)2 = 0.635m

L1+ L2 0.635+0.645
L= = =0.64 m
2 2

For g,
2 2
4 π L 4 ( 3.1416 ) 0.64
g= 2 = 2
=10 m s−2
T 1.59

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For error,
9.8−10
%error = 9.8
×100=¿2.04%

Results:
Calculated value of g = 10ms-2
% Error = 2.04%

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