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PHY 400 LAB Report 2 - LAB 2 - EXPERIMENT OF

ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY BY USING
SIMPLE PENDULUM SYSTEM
Introduction to Physics (Universiti Teknologi MARA)

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA CAWANGAN MELAKA KAMPUS

JASIN

PHYSIC 400
LAB REPORT 2 - EXPERIMENT OF ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY BY USING
SIMPLE PENDULUM SYSTEM

LECTURER’S NAME : MISS SITI NOR FAZLINA BINTI ABDUL HAMID

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 30TH APRIL 2020

STUDENT’S NAME :
NO. NAME STUDENT ID GROUP
MOHAMAD AZREL AIDED BIN
1. 2020971367 AT222 1B
NORAZIMI
2. NUR AINI BINTI MOHAMAD 2020991389 AT222 1B
RABI'ATUL 'ADAWIYAH BINTI
3. 2020970453 AT222 1B
KHAIRIL ANWAR
SITI NUR WAHIDAH BINTI
4. 2020957813 AT222 1B
BUSTAMAM

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CONTENTS

1.0 PRE-LAB QUESTION ........................................................................................................ 3

i. Different g at different latitudes on earth ........................................................................... 3
ii. A straight line graph and its usage in data analysis ............................................................ 4
iii. Simple Pendulum ................................................................................................................. 5
2.0 THEORY ............................................................................................................................. 7
3.0 OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................... 10
4.0 APPARATUS: .................................................................................................................... 10
5.0 PROCEDURE:................................................................................................................... 11
6.0 DATA AND RESULT ........................................................................................................ 12
6.1 Calculation ........................................................................................................................... 13
7.0 DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................... 14
Post Lab Questionnaire ............................................................................................................. 14
8.0 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 15
9.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 16

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1.0 PRE-LAB QUESTION

i. Different g at different latitudes on earth

Different locations on earth has slightly different acceleration due to gravity, g. The different
values of g for several cities and places throughout the world is given in Table 1. The cities
located near the equator have a slightly smaller g compared to those at higher latitudes.

Table 1: Acceleration due to gravity g at different places and cities of the world

No Place/Cities Latitude g (m/s²)

1 North Pole 90.0 N 9.832
2 Green Land 70.0N 9.825
3 Helsinki 60.2N 9.819
4 Amsterdam 52.4N 9.813
5 Paris 48.8N 9.809
6 San Francisco 37.7N 9.800
7 Kuwait 30.0N 9.793
8 Bangkok 13.8N 9.783
9 Kuala Lumpur 3.1N ?
10 Singapore 1.2N 9.781
11 Equator 0 9.780
12 Jakarta 6.3S 9.781
13 Rio de Janeiro 23.0S 9.788
14 Sydney 34.0S 9.797
15 Wellington 41.3S 9.803
16 South Pole 90.0S ?

1. Comparing the values of g at 16 places and cities in the world at various latitudes, what can
you say about the trend of these values?
 From comparing g with 16 places and cities, we can say that the trend is directly
proportional because gravity decrease with altitude.

2. Can you guess the appropriate values of g for Kuala Lumpur and the South Pole?
 We guess the appropriate value of g for Kuala Lumpur is 9.782 m/s² and for South Pole
is 9.833 m/s².

3. Why g is larger at the poles?

 g is larger at the poles because it is closer to the centre of earth than at the equator which
is far away from the centre of earth.

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ii. A straight line graph and its usage in data analysis

1. An equation for a straight line graph (linear graph) is y = mx + c, where y is the quantity
on the vertical axis and x is the quantity on the horizontal axis as shown in Figure 1.
What is the meaning of m and c on the straight line equation y = mx + c?
 m : gradient
 c : y - intercept

2. The period of a simple pendulum (T) is related to its length (L) by the following
equation:
𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔
Where g is the acceleration due to the gravity.
a. How do we transform equation (1) so that we can plot a straight line graph relating
the variable T and L? [i.e. How do we linearize equation (1)?]
𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔
𝐿
𝑇 2 = (2𝜋)2
𝑔
4𝜋 2
𝑇2 = 𝐿
𝑔

b. How do we determine the value of g from this graph?

 The g value is being determined by calculating the gradient of the graph.

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iii. Simple Pendulum

1. What is a simple pendulum?

 Simple pendulum is a mass suspended from a light string that can oscillate when
displaced from its rest position.

2. How do we set up a simple pendulum in the lab?

 The simple pendulum is composed of a small spherical ball suspended by a long, light
string which is attached to a support stand by a string clamp. The string should be
approximately 125 cm long and should be clamped by the string clamp between the two
flat pieces of metal so that the string always pivots about the same point.

3. What is the period of a simple pendulum?

 The period of simple pendulum is the time required for the pendulum to make one full
back and forth swing.

4. What is the best way to determine the period of a simple pendulum?

 The best way to determine the period of a simple pendulum is to start the pendulum
swinging and measure the time required for a large number of full swings 40,50 or so.
Choose the number of swings so that the total time by the number of full swings will
give the period.

𝐿
5. What is the condition to use the equation 𝑇 = 2𝜋√𝑔?

 The condition to use that equation in order to be an accurate model for a pendulum, the
net force on the object at the end of the pendulum must be proportional to the
displacement. This is a good approximate when the angle of the swing is small.

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6. If we vary the length of a pendulum, the period will change. Make an appropriate table to
record the data of L and T.

Length of string Period for 5 Period for 1 oscillation, T² (s²)

(m) oscillation T, (s) T, (s)
90.0 x 10ˉ²
80.0 x 10ˉ²
70.0 x 10ˉ²
60.0 x 10ˉ²
49.5 x 10ˉ²
40.0 x 10ˉ²
30.0 x 10ˉ²
20.0 x 10ˉ²
10.0 x 10ˉ²

7. How do we determine the uncertainty (error) from a data that are plotted in a straight line
graph?
 We use gradient to determine the uncertainty of a straight line graph
i) Draw the best graph passing through or nearest to most points and calculate.
ii) Draw the maximum gradient mmax of the graph.
iii) Draw the minimum gradient mmin of the graph.
iv) Uncertainty of the gradient is given by the following equation:

𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑛
∆𝑚 =
2

8. How do we calculate the percent error between the value g experiment and gstandard?
Take gstandard = 9.81 m/s2.
𝑔𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 − 𝑔𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 (%) = × 100%
𝑔𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑
𝑔𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 − 9.81𝑚𝑠 −2
%= × 100%
9.81𝑚𝑠 −2

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2.0 THEORY

Figure 1: The illustration of the simple pendulum system

In Figure 1 we see that a simple pendulum has a small-diameter bob and a string that
has a very small mass but is strong enough not to stretch appreciably. The linear displacement
from equilibrium is s, the length of the arc. Also shown are the forces on the bob, which result
in a net force of −mg sinθ toward the equilibrium position—that is, a restoring force.

Pendulums are in common usage. Some have crucial uses, such as in clocks; some are
for fun, such as a child’s swing; and some are just there, such as the sinker on a fishing line.
For small displacements, a pendulum is a simple harmonic oscillator. A simple pendulum is
defined to have an object that has a small mass, also known as the pendulum bob, which is
suspended from a light wire or string, such as shown in Figure 1.

The figure 1, shows the forces acting on a simple pendulum. The dashed line represents the
gravitational force acting on the bob whereas, the dotted lines represents the gravitational force
resolved into its horizontal and vertical components. The velocity of the bob always acts in the x-
axis and is tangent to the circular path of the pendulum. From the figure above it can be seen that
the driving force of the pendulum is;

F = −mgθ. (EQ. 1)

Note: Negative sign in equation A because acceleration, g, is acting downwards.

Considering the displacement of the bob from its equilibrium position to be ‘S’, then the
acceleration will be as:
𝑑2𝑠
→ 𝑎𝑐𝑐 → s̈
𝑑𝑡

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Newton’s 2nd law of motion states that:

𝐹=𝑚𝑎
∴ 𝐹=𝑚𝑠̈ (EQ. 2)

Comparing equation 1 and 2, we have;

−𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃=𝑚𝑠̈ (1)

And then the bob makes an angle ‘𝜃’ with the vertical, then the displacement‘s’ of the bob is
given by;
s = Lθ
𝑑2𝑠
∴ = 𝐿𝜃̈
𝑑𝑡
s̈ = 𝐿𝜃̈ (EQ. 3)

Substituting equation (EQ. 3) into (1) gives:

−𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃=𝑚𝑠̈
−𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃=𝑚𝐿𝜃̈ (2)

Rearranging equation (2) gives:

𝑚𝐿𝜃̈ +𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃=0
𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜃̈ =
𝐿
𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜃̈ = −
𝐿

𝑔 𝑔
∴ 𝑤 = √𝐿 ∴ 𝑤2 = 𝐿

𝜃̈ = −𝑤̈ sin 𝜃

For small angle, the approximation 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃≈𝜃 is used:

𝜃̈ = −𝑤̈ 2 𝜃

𝜃̈ + 𝑤̈ 2 𝜃 = 0

he time period of a simple pendulum is given by:

𝑤 = 2𝜋𝑓
2𝜋 1
𝑤= ∴𝑓=
𝑇 𝑇
2𝜋
𝑤 = (EQ. 4)
𝑇

𝑔
𝑤 = √ (EQ. 5)
𝐿

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Comparing EQ. 4 and EQ. 5:

2𝜋 𝑔
=√
𝑇 𝐿
𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √
𝑔

Lastly, squaring on both sides, we have;

4𝜋 2
𝑇2 = 𝐿
𝑔

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3.0 OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the acceleration due to gravity, g, by means of a simple pendulum.

4.0 APPARATUS:

1. Stopwatch
2. Meter rule
3. Pendulum bob
4. String
5. Retort stand
6. Clamp

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5.0 PROCEDURE:

1. The simple pendulum system was set up by using a pendulum bob, a string, a clamp
and a retort stand.
2. For the first data, the string of pendulum was set up with 90.0 × 10-2m in length with
small oscillation angle.
3. Then, the time taken for the simple pendulum system to make a complete 5 oscillation
were recorded.
4. Step 2 and 3 were being repeated for eight more reading, 80.0 × 10-2 m, 70.0 × 10-2 m,
60.0 × 10-2 m, 49.5 × 10-2 m, 40.0 × 10-2 m, 30.0 × 10-2 m, 20.0 × 10-2, m and 10.0 × 10-
2
m, respectively.
5. Then, the graph of the T2 versus L were being constructed.
6. From the slope of the graph, the value of g were calculated by using the equation
4𝜋 2
𝑇2 = 𝐿
𝑔
7. Lastly, the percentage difference between the acceleration due to gravity in this
experiment (gexperiment) and the standard acceleration due to gravity at sea level, (g standard)
are being calculated.

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6.0 DATA AND RESULT

Table 1: Period (T) of a pendulum at different length (L)

Time for 5
Length, L (m) Period, T (s) T2 (s2)
Oscillations
90.0 × 10-2 9.51 1.90 3.61
80.0 × 10-2 8.82 1.76 3.10
70.0 × 10-2 8.52 1.70 2.89
60.0 × 10-2 7.82 1.56 2.43
49.5 × 10-2 7.10 1.42 2.02
40.0 × 10-2 6.42 1.28 1.64
30.0 × 10-2 5.60 1.12 1.25
20.0 × 10-2 4.61 9.22 × 10-1 8.50 × 10-1
10.0 × 10-2 3.37 6.74 × 10-1 4.54 × 10-1

Figure 2: The graph of Period, T2 versus Length, L

The Graph of Period, T2 versus Length, L

4
3.61
3.5
3.1
2.89
3
2.43
2.5
2.02
T2 (s2)

2
1.64
1.5 1.25

1 0.85

0.454
0.5

0
10 20 30 40 49.5 60 70 80 90
Length, L (m) × 10-2

From the graph, it shows that a straight line was obtained. Thus, this straight line clearly
shows that the relationship between the length ‘L’ and the square of time period ‘T 2’ is directly
proportional.

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6.1 Calculation

i. Value of x and y

x1 = 60 x 10-2 y1 = 2.43
x2 = 20 x 10-2 y2 = 0.85

ii. Value of slope (m):

𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝑚=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
0.85 − 2.43
𝑚=
20 × 10−2 − 60 × 10−2

𝒎 = 𝟑. 𝟗𝟓 𝒔𝟐 𝒎−𝟏

iii. Value of g:
4𝜋2
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 =
𝑔
4𝜋 2
𝑔=
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡
4𝜋 2
𝑔=
3.95 𝑠2 𝑚−1

𝒈 = 𝟗. 𝟗𝟗𝟒 𝒎𝒔−𝟐

iv. Value of percentage difference:

𝑔𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 − 𝑔𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 (%) = × 100%
𝑔𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑
(9.994 − 9.81)𝑚𝑠 −2
%= × 100%
9.81 𝑚𝑠 −2

% = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟕 %

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7.0 DISCUSSION

Post Lab Questionnaire

1. Do you think the percentage difference between g-experiment and g-standard is acceptable
in this experiment?
 Yes, because the value of percentage difference between gexperiment and gstandard are really
smaller, which is only 1.87%. This shows that, the simple pendulum experiment can be
used as one of the tools to study the acceleration due to gravity if we want it to do it in
a simple way. But, still this experiment need to go further modification so that it can be
easily adapt with the environment that the study are being conducted.

2. Do you think the experiment to determine g by using a pendulum can be improved?

Describe the improvement.
 Yes, the experiment using pendulum can be improve by taking seriously the factors that
can contribute to the wrong measurement of swinging pendulum. For example, the
starting time is not exactly precise when the pendulum is let go. So, when the pendulum
is let go, the stopwatch must also be started. Besides, air resistance is another factor that
may cause the swinging of the pendulum change. To overcome this problem, the
pendulum experiment should be run in a closed room with less air resistance such as
the fan to decrease the air resistance which may affect the swinging of the pendulum.

3. Can you think of any other way to determine g?

 Gravity is used in the Newton’s Law which in the calculation of weight. We may derive
new equation based from the weight formula, W= m g whereas W is weight, m is the
mass and g is for the gravity. So, to determine g, we must derive new equation where g
= W/m. However, before calculating for g, all necessary information must completely
have/given. By that, we can easily find g.

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8.0 CONCLUSION

The result for this experiment are acceptable. This experiment was carried out to determine
the acceleration due to gravity, g, by means of a simple pendulum. This experiment was carried
by changing the length of the string of the simple pendulum from 90.0×10-2 m to 80.0×10-2m,
70.0×10-2 m, 60.0×10-2m, 49.5×10-2m, 40.0×10-2m, 30.0×10-2 m, 20.0×10-2,m and 10.0×10-2m,
respectively. Then, the result for the complete five (5) oscillation are recorded by using stop
watch. After that, the period, T for 1 oscillation are calculated which were 1.90 for 90.0×10-2m
, 1.76 for 80.0×10-2m, 1.70 for 70.0×10-2m, 1.56 for 60.0×10-2 m, 1.42 for 49.5×10-2 m, 1.28 for
40.0×10-2 m, 1.12 for 30.0×10-2m, 9.22×10-1 for 20.0×10-2m and 6.74 × 10-1 for 10.0×10-2m.
Then, the period were multiple by the power of two (2), T 2, and the result become 3.61, 3.10,
2.89, 2.43, 2.02, 1.64, 1.25, 8.50 × 10-1 and 4.54 × 10-1 respectively for 90.0×10-2m, to 80.0×10-
2
m, 70.0×10-2m, 60.0×10-2 m, 49.5×10-2m, 40.0×10-2 m, 30.0×10-2 m, 20.0×10-2,m and 10.0×10-
2
m. The fact that the period changed with the length of the string suggest that the period is
dependent on the length. The graph of T2 over L was constructed. Then, the slope of the graph
are being calculated to find the value of gexperiment and got the value of g = 9.994 ms-2. After that,
the percentage error of this experiment were calculated and resulted only 1.87% error. Thus,
the value for g experimental are accepted because the value of percentage difference between
gexperiment and gstandard are really smaller. Though, the experiment was done to keep the errors the
minimum, there still were some systematic and random errors in the experiment. The sources
of this error include the delayed reaction time when started and stopping the timer of stopwatch.
Apart from that, the string maybe not being pulled tightly when being released make the drop
of the pendulum bob be a bit slower than it should be.

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9.0 REFERENCES

1. Lab Report: The Simple Pendulum, Muhammad Sohaib Alam, Retrived April 28th, 2020,
https://www.academia.edu/31390648/LAP_REPORT_THE_SIMPLE_PENDULUM
2. Experiment: Simple Harmonic Motion – Simple Pendulum, Retrieved April 28th, 2020,
https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/university-of-louisiana-at-lafayette/physics-
laboratory-i/essays/simple-pendulum-lab-report/3479469/view
3. Determining the Acceleration Due to Gravity with a Simple Pendulum, Quintin T.
Nethercott and M. Evelynn Walton, Retrieved April 24th, 2020,
http://www.physics.utah.edu/~ewalton/lab_report.pdf
4. The Simple Pendulum, Dr. James E. Parks, Retrieved April 24th, 2020,
http://www.phys.utk.edu/labs/simplependulum.pdf
5. How does the Period of a Pendulum Change when the Length of String is varied? (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://visual.physics.tamu.edu/Proposal/lab7_20346.pdf
6. Mario, & Iona. (n.d.). Why is g larger at the poles? Retrieved from
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1978AmJPh..46..790I/abstract
7. Sani, M. H., Baraya, J. T., Mu'auya, S. M., & Abdulkarim, A. (2016), Comparison of
Theoritical and Measured Acceleration Due to Gravity, 5(3), 3787–3797. doi:
10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0503081 http://ljournal.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/d-2016-
154.pdf.
8. The Simple Pendulum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24th, 2020 from
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/hnichols/phys115/p115lab4.pdf

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