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Pyhsics Ia

The document outlines a simple pendulum experiment aimed at investigating how the period of a pendulum changes with varying rope lengths. It includes an introduction to the principles of periodic motion and simple harmonic motion, details the materials and procedures used, and discusses the results and uncertainties encountered. The conclusion reinforces the relationship between pendulum length and period, while suggesting improvements for future experiments to enhance accuracy.

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efergull08
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15 views7 pages

Pyhsics Ia

The document outlines a simple pendulum experiment aimed at investigating how the period of a pendulum changes with varying rope lengths. It includes an introduction to the principles of periodic motion and simple harmonic motion, details the materials and procedures used, and discusses the results and uncertainties encountered. The conclusion reinforces the relationship between pendulum length and period, while suggesting improvements for future experiments to enhance accuracy.

Uploaded by

efergull08
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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International Baccalaureate

IB Physics HL

SIMPLE PENDULUM EXPERIMENT

How does the period of the pendulum


changes when the length of the rope is
decreased?

Recep Efe ERGÜL


11/O
161358
1) INTRODUCTION:

A simple pendulum is a fundamental principle in physics that consists of a


mass, commonly referred to as the pendulum bob, suspended from the
end of a string or rod of a fixed length. The length of the string plays a
vital role in determining the pendulum’s period, which is the time it takes
to complete one full oscillation. The pendulum must be attached securely
to a fixed point to ensure smooth and accurate motion.

The simple pendulum experiment effectively illustrates the concept of


"periodic motion," a type of motion that repeats in a regular cycle. When
analyzed under ideal conditions—where air resistance and friction are
negligible—the motion of a simple pendulum can be described using
"Simple Harmonic Motion" (SHM) equations. This experiment provides
valuable insight into fundamental physics concepts, including oscillations,
forces, and energy conservation.

The period of a simple pendulum can be determined using the equation: 2

π
√ L−h
g

This formula clearly shows that the period of the pendulum is directly
proportional to the square root of its length. As the length of the
pendulum increases, the time required for one complete oscillation also
increases.

In each trial of this experiment, the pendulum will be displaced to a fixed


initial angle before being released, ensuring consistency in the motion.
The period, which represents the time taken for a complete back-and-forth
motion, will be measured and recorded as the dependent variable. The
pendulum itself will be securely attached to a fixed point on the ceiling
using a hook to allow free and controlled oscillation.
The independent variable in this experiment is the length of the
pendulum, which will be systematically reduced in increments of 10 cm
after every five trials. To ensure accurate results and minimize external
influences, the mass of the pendulum bob should be significantly larger
than the mass of the string, which is considered negligible in this setup.
This condition helps maintain a stable motion and aligns with the
theoretical assumptions of the simple pendulum model.

Research Question: How does the pendulum’s period change when the
rope length is reduced?
2) MATERIALS:
Materials Functions
Pendulum Bob The constant mass used in the experiment, secured
at the end of the string.
String The adjustable length in the experiment, shortened
after every five trials.
Timer Used to record time measurements, taken five times
for accuracy.
Ruler Measures the length of the string to ensure
consistency.

3) PROCEDURE:
1) Start the pendulum:
2) Position the pendulum bob at a specific height above the ground.
3) Measure the time (t) taken for 5 complete oscillations.
4) Repeat the experiment:
5) Select 10 different length values.
6) Measure and record the time for each trial in a table.
7) Use the formula: The relationship between ceiling height, pendulum
bob height, and period is given by: T = 2 π
4π
2
4π
√
L−h

2
g
f

8) By rearranging the equation: : T 2 = L− h


g g
9) Plot a graph: Use Logger Pro software to generate an appropriate
graph based on the collected data.
10) Find the results: Determine the gravitational acceleration (g)
and ceiling height (h) from the graph.
11) Calculate uncertainties: Compute the uncertainty in
gravitational acceleration and ceiling height using an appropriate
method.
4) VARIABLES:

Dependent Time period of the oscillation (T), measured with a timer (s).

Independent The pendulum length (l), measured with a ruler (m).

Controlled Mass of pendulum bob, angle of release, surrounding conditions.

5) RAW DATA:

** The uncertainty is 0.05 and uncertainty is 0.01 in the timer (digital).


** Height from ground attached to X-axis
** Time for 10 oscillations attached to Y-axis

6) PROCESSED DATA

7) EVALUATION
The graph of the processed data shows a linear relationship, indicating
that the time period of a simple pendulum is directly related to its length.
Since gravitational acceleration does not directly influence the

experiment, we can use the equation: T = 2π


√ L−h
g
to estimate that the value of gravity will be close to 9.8 m/s². However,
due to uncertainties in the experiment, the measured value may slightly
deviate from this theoretical value.

- Strengths of the Experiment:


Simple and easy to conduct: The experiment was straightforward,
required minimal equipment, and could be completed within a single
class period.
Consistent with theoretical predictions: The results demonstrated
that as the length of the pendulum decreases, its time period also
decreases. Although not exact, the data followed the expected
trend, reinforcing the experiment’s reliability.

- Weaknesses of the Experiment:


Potential sources of error: Several factors introduced uncertainties
in the measurements, including:
 Human reaction time when using a stopwatch.
 nconsistencies in the release angle of the pendulum.
 Manual data collection, which may have led to slight
miscalculations.

These factors impacted both the precision and accuracy of the results.
Future experiments could improve reliability by using electronic timing
systems and controlled release mechanisms.
8) CONCLUSION
The experiment effectively demonstrated the proportional relationship
between the length of a simple pendulum and its time period, aligning
with established theoretical principles. The collected data indicated a
near-linear trend, supporting the expected dependence of the time period
on the pendulum’s length.

While the estimated value of gravitational acceleration approached the


standard value of 9.8 m/s², experimental uncertainties introduced minor
deviations. Factors such as human reaction time, variations in the release
angle, and manual data recording contributed to these discrepancies. To
improve precision and reduce systematic errors, future studies could
utilize electronic timing systems and controlled release mechanisms.
Overall, the experiment provided valuable empirical validation of
fundamental principles in classical mechanics.

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