Engineering Physics Lab Report 2

ENGINEERING PHYSICS LAB REPORT 2

TUESDAY, 8 October, 2024
1.

SCHOOL: SMME
ME 16 (A)
MEMBERS:
1. Muhammad Hassan Tariq 523482
2. Syed Shahzaib Iqbal 508129
3. Dawood Ahmad 518329
4. Muhammad Omer Baloch 504744
5. Saqlain Noor 501114
6. Muhammad Qasim Siddique 512830
7. Shuja Ashraf Pall 503540
Engineering Physics Lab Report 2

STUDY OF COMPOUND PENDULUM

APPARATUS:
 Compound Pendulum
 Support Stand
 Protractor
 Stopwatch
 Ruler or Measuring Tape
 Weight Scale
 Calculator

Abstract:
This experiment aims to determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) using a
compound pendulum, which is a bar with holes drilled at various points. By
measuring the time period of oscillation for different pivot points, we can apply
the principles of rotational motion and simple harmonic motion to calculate g.
Additionally, we will compute the radius of gyration and moment of inertia for the
bar about the pivot point. The results will demonstrate the relationship between
the oscillation period and gravitational acceleration, reinforcing the principles of
dynamics and rotational motion. There is also chance of some errors the details
are as follows:

Possible Errors:
 The brief knowledge about error analysis is discussed under:
 Error analysis is a process in which there is identification of errors; their
explanation; their calculation in measurements and observations.
 There are two main types of error which are RANDOM ERROR AND
SYSTEMETIC ERROR.
 Random error are erratic, unpredictable fluctuations from real or true
value, arising from unidentified or unknown things.
 Random error can never be removed completely but it can reduce by taking
more and more values.
Engineering Physics Lab Report 2

 Systematic errors are consistent and predictable deviation from real value it
arises due to known or controllable factors.
 Systematic can be reduced by regularly or bitterly adjusting instruments; by
controlling environment and also by applying different methods.
 These errors comprise the accuracy and precision of measurements.
 Therefore, it is very essential; to minimize them to get more accurate
values.

THEORY:
The time period T of a simple pendulum is given by the formula:

T=2π g
√ l

where:
 T = Time period of oscillation
 L = Effective length of the pendulum (distance from pivot to center of mass)
 g = Acceleration due to gravity
Rearranging this formula allows us to solve for g:

2
4π L
g= 2
T

PROCEDURE:
 Measure the total length of the bar and determine its mass.
 Find the position of the center of mass based on the geometry of the
bar.
 Secure the bar at one of the holes to use as a pivot.
Engineering Physics Lab Report 2

 Displace the pendulum slightly from the vertical position and release
it.
 Use the stopwatch to measure the time taken for a set number of
oscillations (e.g., 10) to minimize timing errors.
 Divide the total time by the number of oscillations to find the
average time period T.
 Repeat the measurements for different pivot points by using the
other holes in the bar.
 Use the average time period and effective length in the formula to
calculate g.

OBSERVATIONS FOR THE TIME PERIOD OF OSCILLATIONS

For The Holes Above G For the Holes below G

Hol Time for 10 Time Distance Hol Time for 10 Time Distance
e Vibrations Perio From G e Vibrations Period From G
No 1 2 Mean d No 1 2 Mean
T = t /
t T=t/ t 10
10
1 16.9 17.2 17.05 1.70 49 1 17.84 18.24 18.04 1.80 49.91
2 16.12 16.4 16.24 1.62 45.2 2 17.8 18.10 17.91 1.79 43.8
3 15.33 16.0 15.66 1.57 42.3 3 15.29 15.42 15.35 1.54 38.2
4 16.02 15.53 15.78 1.58 37.8 4 14.40 14.50 14.45 1.44 33.21
5 16.01 15.58 15.8 1.58 33.3 5 15.53 15.65 15.59 1.56 28.4
6 16.22 16.43 16.32 1.63 26.5 6 15.6 15.82 15.71 1.57 23.31
7 16.15 16.29 16.22 1.62 20.3 7 16.27 16.40 16.33 1.63 18.19
8 16.2 16.6 16.42 1.64 15.0 8 17.95 18.39 18.05 1.80 14
9 22.8 23.33 23.07 2.31 7.5 9 20.72 20.82 20.77 2.08 8.2
10 43.56 42.59 43.08 4.31 2.1 10 37.33 38.43 37.38 3.74 2.9

CALCULATION OF LENGTH “L”

For the calculation of L, we take 4 points on the graph A (55.5,1.7), B (8.4,1.7),
Engineering Physics Lab Report 2

D (10.1,1.7) and E (40.8,1.7) as follows:

AD+ BE
L=
2

45.4+ 32.4
¿
2

77.8
¿
2

¿38.9 cm

CALCULATION OF GRAVITATIONAL ATTRACTION “g”

2
4π L
g= 2
T

4 ( 3 ⋅14 )2 ( 38.9 )
= 2
( 1 ⋅7 )

= 915 cm s−2

= 9.15 m s−2

CALCULATION OF ERROR

C ⋅v −E ⋅v
Error = c⋅v
⋅100

9.15−9.81
= 9 ⋅15
⋅100

= 7.21%
Engineering Physics Lab Report 2

RADIUS OF GYRATION
Radius of gyration of a body can be defined as the distance from a point where
the whole mass of body is concentrated to the axis of rotation.

Formula
For a rigid body with moment of inertia I and total mass M, the radius of gyration
can be found as:

k=
√ I
M

Where,
I = The moment of inertia of body about the given axis.
M= The total mass of the object

MOMENT OF INERTIA:
The moment of inertia is the measure of how much is it difficult to rotate an
object around an axis.

Formula

2
I =m r

Where,
m = mass of object
r = radius of object from center of mass
Engineering Physics Lab Report 2

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This error between actual value and the calculated value is due to various reasons
such as presence of height, faulty instruments and human error. Also, the value of
“g” is also not same everywhere. All the details about errors have been discussed
above.