Cambridge International

AS and A Level Physics (9702)

Practical booklet 12

Determination of acceleration of free fall g

using a V-shaped pendulum
 Introduction
Practical work is an essential part of science. Scientists use evidence gained from prior
observations and experiments to build models and theories. Their predictions are tested with
practical work to check that they are consistent with the behaviour of the real world. Learners
who are well trained and experienced in practical skills will be more confident in their own
abilities. The skills developed through practical work provide a good foundation for those
wishing to pursue science further, as well as for those entering employment or a non-science
career.

The science syllabuses address practical skills that contribute to the overall understanding of
scientific methodology. Learners should be able to:

1. plan experiments and investigations

2. collect, record and present observations, measurements and estimates

3. analyse and interpret data to reach conclusions

4. evaluate methods and quality of data, and suggest improvements.

The practical skills established at AS Level are extended further in the full A Level. Learners
will need to have practised basic skills from the AS Level experiments before using these
skills to tackle the more demanding A Level exercises. Although A Level practical skills are
assessed by a timetabled written paper, the best preparation for this paper is through
extensive hands-on experience in the laboratory.

The example experiments suggested here can form the basis of a well-structured scheme of
practical work for the teaching of AS and A Level science. The experiments have been
carefully selected to reinforce theory and to develop learners’ practical skills. The syllabus,
scheme of work and past papers also provide a useful guide to the type of practical skills that
learners might be expected to develop further. About 20% of teaching time should be
allocated to practical work (not including the time spent observing teacher demonstrations),
so this set of experiments provides only the starting point for a much more extensive scheme
of practical work.

© Cambridge International Examinations 2014

2 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

 Practical 12 – Guidance for teachers

Determination of acceleration of free fall g using

a V-shaped pendulum
Aim
An opportunity to plan an entire experiment given the theory only.

Outcomes
Syllabus sections 1.2e, 2.1a, 13.1b

Skills included in the practical

A Level skills How learners develop the skills
Planning Plan an experiment

This practical provides an opportunity to build on essential skills introduced at AS Level.

AS Level skills How learners develop the skills

MMO collection Measure lengths using a rule
MMO values Measure angles using a protractor
MMO quality of data Measure time intervals using a stopwatch

PDO table
Collect and record data in a table
PDO recording
PDO graph Draw a graph and determine the gradient and y-intercept
ACE interpretation Interpret the gradient and y-intercept

Method

Give each learner a copy of one of the theories for a V-shaped pendulum and ask them to
plan an experiment to find g. The instructions in red are optional.

Results

The results tables are optional. More able learners may be able to construct their own tables
of results including all required column headings.

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Physics Practical 12 – Guidance for teachers

Theory 1

Total length of string = L.

String supported at M and N.
Vary 2 and measure T.

l
=cos θ
L/2
L cos θ
l=
2
Substituting into T =2 π
√ l and squaring gives:
g

2 2 π 2 L cos θ
T =
g

Squaring again and using the trigonometric identity sin2 + cos2 = 1:

4 4 π 4 L2 cos 2 θ −4 π 4 L2 sin2 θ 4 π 4 L2
T = 2
= 2
+ 2
g g g

4 2
T =−A sin θ+ B

A graph of T4 against sin2 should be a straight line with:

4 2
4π L
A=−gradient= 2
g
4 2
4π L
B= A=y-intercept= 2
g

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 Physics Practical 12 – Guidance for teachers

Theory 2

Total length of string = L.

String supported at M and N.
Vary x and measure T.

T =2 π
√ l raised to the power 4 gives:
g

()
2
4 4 l
T =16 π
g

Using Pythagoras’s Theorem: l2 = (L/2)2 – (x/2)2

therefore

( )
4 2 2 4 2 4 2
4 16 π L x −4 π x 4 π L
T = 2
− = 2
+ 2
g 4 4 g g
4 2
T =−C x + D

A graph of T4 against x2 should be a straight line with:

4
4π
C=−gradient = 2
g

4 π 4 L2
D=y-intercept= 2
g

Also:

√ D
C
=L

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 5

Physics Practical 12 – Guidance for teachers

Theory 3

Total length of string = L.

String supported at M and N but is continuous.
Vary x and measure y and T.

T =2 π
√ l raised to the power 4 gives:
g

()
2
4 4 l
T =16 π
g

Length of string = y + y + x = 2y + x = L

By Pythagorus:

()
2
2 2 x
l =y −
2
so
T =16 π
4 4
()
l 2 4 π 4 ( 2 2)
g
= 2 4 y −x
g
2 2
4 y −x =( 2 y−x )( 2 y + x )=( 2 y−x ) L

Therefore:
4
4 π ( 2 2 ) 4 π ( 2 y −x ) L
4
4
T = 2 4 y −x = 2
g g
4 4
8 π Ly 4 π Lx
T 4= 2
− 2
g g

T 4 8 π4 L y 4 π 4 L
= 2 ∙ − 2
x g x g

T4 y
=E ∙ −F
x x

A graph of T4/x against y/x should be a straight line with

4
8π L
E=gradient= 2
g

6 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

 Physics Practical 12 – Guidance for teachers

4
4π L
F=−y-intercept=
g2

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Physics Practical 12 – Guidance for teachers

Theory 1 results table

L = ………………m

Time for 10 cycles

/° sin  sin2  t1/s t2/s taverage/s T/s T4/s4

Theory 2 results table

L = ………………m

Time for 10 cycles

x/m x2/m2 t1/s t2/s taverage/s T/s T4/s4

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 Physics Practical 12 – Guidance for teachers

Theory 3 results table

L = ……………..m

Time for 10 cycles

x/m y/m y/x t1/s t2/s taverage/s T/s T4/s4 (T4/x)/

s4m–1

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 9

 Practical 12 – Information for technicians

Determination of acceleration of free fall g using

a V-shaped pendulum

Each learner will require:

(a) two stands

(b) two bosses

(c) two clamps

(d) pendulum bob

(e) string of length 1 m

(f) stopwatch

(g) metre rule

(h) protractor

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 1

Physics Practical 12 – Information for technicians

2 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

 Practical 12 – Worksheet

Determination of acceleration of free fall g using

a V-shaped pendulum

Aim

An opportunity to plan an entire experiment given the theory only.

Method

You have been given the theory for a V-shaped pendulum. Plan an experiment to determine
g by:
 measuring L

 drawing up a table for your results

 recording your results in the table

 drawing an appropriate graph

 using the values of the gradient and y-intercept

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 1