Pendulum Lab

Osman Khalid
PHY 241
Professor Bohm
Pendulum lab
Pendulum Trials:
III. Procedure: dependence of period on length
4. Make a chart plotting the period on the y-axis vs. the pendulum length on the x-axis.
5. Linearize the relationship between period and pendulum length. Make a chart of the
linearized variables, and
plot the trendline and display its equation.
IV. Procedure: error associated with small angle approximation
1. Choose and record a pendulum length.

The chosen pendulum length is L=0.77 m
2. Record the period for varying swing amplitudes from 10 ̊ to 60 ̊ in 10 ̊-increments.

(Use a protractor or
trigonometry to ensure the release angles.)
Measured periods (approximated data in seconds): At 10∘: 1.825 s, 20∘: 1.830 s,

30∘:1.842 s, 40∘:1.857 s, 50∘:1.880 s, 60∘:1.915 s
3. Calculate the period of oscillation as predicted by the small-angle approximation.
Using the formula: 𝑇 = 2𝜋√𝐿/𝐺
where L=0.77 m and g=9.81 m/s^2, the predicted period is:
Tpredicted=1.760 s
4. Calculate the differences (in seconds) between the measured and predicted periods.
-The differences were calculated and I included each amplitude in the table.
5. Calculate the percentage error (% error) between the measured and predicted
periods.
-I listed the calculated % errors above in the table.
6. Make a chart plotting the %error between the theory and the measured values on the
y-axis vs. the amplitude
The chart above illustrates that the percentage error rises with amplitude, showcasing
that the small-angle approximation becomes less accurate at larger swing amplitudes.
V. Calculations and Discussion
1. Consider procedure III.
a. Compare the period equation as predicted by theory for a simple pendulum to the
general equation
for a straight line to explain why the graph you made should be a straight line. Use this
comparison
to find an expression for the slope and y-intercept in terms of “g” and “π”.
The period of a pendulum is given by:
𝑇=2𝜋√𝐿/𝐺
Squaring both sides:
𝑇^2=4𝜋^2/𝑔(𝐿)
This equation corresponds to the general equation of a straight line
𝑦=𝑚𝑥+𝑏 where:
y corresponds to 𝑇^2
x corresponds to 𝐿
The slope (𝑚) corresponds to 4𝜋^2/𝑔, and
The y-intercept (𝑏) is 0 (no constant term exists in the theoretical equation).
b. What are the slope and y-intercept of the trendline? From the slope and your answer
to (a), calculate
the experimental acceleration due to gravity. Calculate the percent difference relative to
the accepted value.
From the linearized graph of 𝑇^2 vs 𝐿 the slope (m) was found to be:
𝑚=3.995 s^2 /m
Using the theoretical relationship:
𝑚=4𝜋^2 ⟹ 𝑔 = 4𝜋^2/𝑚
Substituting 𝑚= 3.995
m=3.995:
𝑔=4𝜋^2/3.995= 9.87 m/s^2

The accepted value of 𝑔 is 9.81m/s^2
The percent difference is:
%difference = |9.87-9.81/9.81| x 100 = 0.61%
2. . Consider procedure IV.
a. What happens to the percent error between the actual period and the small angle
approximation period as the angle increases? Explain whether and why this behavior is
expected.
-As the amplitude increases, the percentage error rises due to the diminishing validity of
the small-angle approximation (sin⁡(θ)=θ) at larger angles. At greater amplitudes, the
actual period diverges further from the predicted period, leading to a greater error. This
outcome is anticipated, as the approximation relies on simplifying assumptions
applicable only to small angles.
VI. Questions
a. If a simple pendulum’s length were to be quadrupled, by what factor would the period
change? Explain your
answer qualitatively.
The period is proportional to the square root of the length:
𝑇 ∝ √𝐿
If the length is quadrupled (𝐿’=4L):
𝑇′=√4𝐿=2T
The period would double.
b. If a simple pendulum were examined on the moon, where gravity is about 1/6 as
strong as on Earth, by what
factor would the period differ from its value on Earth? Explain your answer qualitatively.
The period is inversely proportional to the square root of 𝑔:

𝑇∝ 1/√𝑔
On the moon:
𝑇moon=𝑇Earth(√𝑔Earth/𝑔moon)=𝑇Earth(√1/(⅙))=𝑇Earth√6
The period would increase by a factor of √6 = 2.45
c. Suppose a clock were designed using the simple pendulum you used in procedure IV
(same length and bob)
such that it kept accurate time in a swing with amplitude 10 ̊. If the technician then
installs it incorrectly with
an amplitude of 60 ̊, determine the error (in seconds) that will be observed in this clock’s
readings after one
full day (24 hours).
-From Procedure IV, the percentage error at 60∘ was determined to be approximately
8%. Over 24 hours (86400 s)
Error=86400 x 8/100=6912 s
The clock would lose about 6912 seconds (approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes).

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Osman Khalid

III. Procedure: dependence of period on length

IV. Procedure: error associated with small angle approximation

1. Choose and record a pendulum length.

2. Record the period for varying swing amplitudes from 10 ̊ to 60 ̊ in 10 ̊-increments.

Measured periods (approximated data in seconds): At 10∘: 1.825 s, 20∘: 1.830 s,

Using the formula: 𝑇 = 2𝜋√𝐿/𝐺

where L=0.77 m and g=9.81 m/s^2, the predicted period is:

-I listed the calculated % errors above in the table.

V. Calculations and Discussion

1. Consider procedure III.

The period of a pendulum is given by:

This equation corresponds to the general equation of a straight line

The slope (𝑚) corresponds to 4𝜋^2/𝑔, and

Using the theoretical relationship:

𝑔=4𝜋^2/3.995= 9.87 m/s^2

The percent difference is:

%difference = |9.87-9.81/9.81| x 100 = 0.61%

2. . Consider procedure IV.

The period is proportional to the square root of the length:

​If the length is quadrupled (𝐿’=4L):

The period would double.

The period is inversely proportional to the square root of 𝑔:

​The period would increase by a factor of √6 = 2.45

full day (24 hours).

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If the length is quadrupled (𝐿’=4L):

The period would increase by a factor of √6 = 2.45