Scribd
Upload
26 views10 pages

Simple Pendulum Lab Report Corrected

Uploaded by

tekalignshiferaw932
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views10 pages

Simple Pendulum Lab Report Corrected

Uploaded by

tekalignshiferaw932
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Local Acceleration Due to Gravity Using Simple Pendulum

Prepared by: [Your Name or Group Name]


Course: [Course Name]
Institution: [Institution Name]
Date of Submission: [Submission Date]
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to measure the local acceleration due to gravity (g)
using a simple pendulum. The experiment involved varying the length of the pendulum,
measuring its oscillation period, and calculating g using the relationship between the period
and length. The results show that the average acceleration due to gravity is approximately
9.394 m/s², which is close to the accepted standard value of 9.81 m/s². Possible sources of
error include measurement inaccuracies and air resistance.
Introduction
A pendulum is a simple yet effective tool to study gravitational acceleration. The period of a
pendulum depends on its length and the local gravitational acceleration. The relationship is
given by:

T = 2π √(L/g)

Where:
T = Period of the pendulum (seconds)
L = Length of the pendulum (meters)
g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)

This experiment explores this relationship, using measured values of L and T to calculate g.
Theory
1. Pendulum Motion:
The pendulum's motion follows simple harmonic motion (SHM) under small angular
displacements. The formula for the period is:
T = 2π √(L/g)
2. Linearized Equation:
T² = (4π²/g) L
Graphing T² vs. L gives a slope of (4π²/g), allowing calculation of g.
3. Importance of Small Amplitude:
Small oscillations (<15°) are required for SHM assumptions to hold, reducing errors.
Experimental Setup
Materials:
- String
- Bob (small spherical weight)
- Stopwatch
- Meter scale
- Clamp stand

Setup Description:
1. Attach the string and bob to the clamp to form a pendulum.
2. Adjust the length of the pendulum from 0.20 m to 0.40 m in increments of 0.05 m.
3. Ensure the string is taut and the oscillation amplitude is small.

A labeled diagram of the pendulum setup can be added for clarity.


Procedure
1. Measure the length (L) of the pendulum from the pivot to the center of the bob.
2. Displace the pendulum by a small angle (<15°) and release it.
3. Time 5 complete oscillations with a stopwatch, repeating 3 times for each length to get an
average time.
4. Calculate the period (T) for one oscillation using T = (time for 5 oscillations)/5.
5. Determine T² for each trial.
6. Use the formula g = (4π² L)/T² to calculate g for each trial.
Results
The results are summarized in the table below:

Trial Length L (m) Time for 5 Period T (s) T² (s²) g (m/s²)


Oscillations
(s)
1 0.2 4.72 0.944 0.891 9.851
2 0.25 5.15 1.03 1.073 9.488
3 0.3 5.5 1.1 1.21 9.353
4 0.35 5.75 1.15 1.33 9.201
5 0.4 6.16 1.23 1.517 9.039

Average g = 9.394 m/s²


Calculations
Example Calculation:
For L = 0.20 m, T = 0.944 s:
T² = 0.944² = 0.891 s²
g = (4π² × 0.20) / 0.891 = 9.851 m/s²

Graph Analysis:
The slope of T² vs. L graph gives (4π²/g), allowing the calculation of g.
Discussion
Comparison with Standard Value:
The experimental g = 9.394 m/s² is compared to the standard value of 9.81 m/s².
Percentage error: |9.394 - 9.81| / 9.81 × 100% = 4.23%

Sources of Error:
1. Air resistance affecting pendulum motion.
2. Timing errors using a manual stopwatch.
3. Measurement inaccuracies in L.

Improvements:
1. Use a digital timer for better accuracy.
2. Conduct the experiment in a vacuum to eliminate air resistance.
3. Ensure accurate length measurements from the pivot point to the bob's center.
Conclusion
The experiment successfully determined the local acceleration due to gravity using a simple
pendulum. The calculated average g was 9.394 m/s², which is close to the standard value.
Despite minor errors, the results validate the theoretical relationship between period,
length, and gravitational acceleration.

Future Work:
Repeat the experiment with improved equipment and under controlled conditions to
achieve even greater accuracy.

You might also like