FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

BFF2821 MECHANICS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT NO:
EXPERIMENT NAME:
SUBMISSION DATE:
SESSION NUMBER:
GROUP NUMBER:

04
THE SIMPLE PENDULUM
4 OCTOBER 2016
01 P
4

GROUP MEMBERS
NAME
NUR SYAMIZA BINTI ZAMRI
SAMSIAH
NIK

ID
FA 14030

LAB INSTRUCTOR
MR AIDIL SHAFIZA

TABLE OF CONTENTS
No.

Contents

Page

Aim

Objectives

Introduction

Procedure and Apparatus

4-5

4.1 Preparation
4.2 Test 1
4.3 Test 2
5

Result

6-10

5.1 Result 1
5.2 Result 2
5.3 Graph and value g
6

Discussion

11-12

Conclusion

12

References

12

1.0

AIM
The aim that can be determine from this experiment is the value of the acceleration
due to gravity by measuring the period of the simple pendulum. It also to study how
the time period of a simple pendulum changes when the amplitude is also changes.

2.0

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the experiment is to show that the time of the simple pendulum is
depends of the lengths. Another objective is to determine the value of gravitational
force (g).

3.0

INTRODUCTION
A small weight (or bob) suspended by a cord forms a simple pendulum. When the
pendulum is swinging, the time of swing is found to be constant. This depends on the
length of pendulum and is not affected by the weight of the bob or the arc of swing.
The constant time of swing of a simple pendulum forms the basis of time counting in
some clocks.
It is known that the time of swing for a simple pendulum of length L is given by the
formula
t=2

L
g

(1)
Where,
L = the length of pendulum
t = time
Since and g are constant, then
t=x L
(2)
This means that the time of swing of a simple pendulum is proportional to the root of
its length. Objective of this experiment is to show that the time of a simple pendulum
depends on its length. The same principle can as well be used to determine the value
of the gravitational acceleration (g) as in Equation 2.

4.0

PROCEDURE AND APPARATUS

4.1 Preparation
1. Secure the mounting panel in the vertical position.
2. Position the adjustable hook with nut.
3. Place the long screw and secure with nut.
4. Draw a horizontal line on the mounting panel and mark it as 0mm.
5. Draw similar lines at 130mm, 160mm, 250mm, 280mm, and 360mm below the 0
mm line (note that holes on the mounting panel are spaced at 25 mm apart).
6. Adjust the cord on the plumb by approximately 600 mm. Use a suitable knot to tie
the cord so that it can be removed from the mounting panel when the experiment is
completed.

4.2 Test 1
1. Slide the rod so that the hook on is exactly on the 0mm line.
2. Take the plumb bob and pass the cord around the hook.
3. Clamp the free end under the head of screw.
4. The plumb bob has a dot stamped on its largest diameter which represents the
centre of gravity. This dot should be positioned in line with the 160 mm mark (hence,
the pendulum length, L is equal to 160mm).
5. Set the pendulum swinging with amplitude of approximately 50mm on either side
of the static position (use the hole-spacing on the mounting panel as reference).
6. Record the time for 10 complete swings (a complete swing is counted when the
plumb bob move from one extreme to another and return again),
7. Repeat the experiment 2 to 3 times to obtain an average result.
8. Repeat the steps for 100mm amplitude.
9. Add a 1N weight to the plumb bob.
10. Record the time for 10 swings with amplitude of 50mm and 100mm.

4.3 Test 2
1. Keep the 1N weight on the plumb bob, lower the cord until the bottom of the 1N
weight is on the 130mm mark.
2. Set the pendulum swinging with amplitude of approximately 100mm and record the
time for 10 swings.
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3. Lower the bob until the length of pendulum is 250 mm and record the time for 10
swings at 100mm amplitude.
4. Lower the bob until the length of pendulum is 280 mm and record the time for 10
swings at 100mm amplitude.
5. Lower the bob until the length of pendulum is 360 mm and record the time for 10
swings at 100mm amplitude.

5.0

RESULTS

5.1 Result 1
Length
(mm)
Setting

130
Plumb bob only

Plumb bob only

Weight 1N + Plumb

Weight 1N + Plumb
5

Time (s)
Time
Average
(s)

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

bob

bob

=50mm)

=100mm)

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

8.38

8.57

8.7

8.83

8.38+8.57+8.7
3
=8.55

8.68

8.9

8.83+ 8.68+8.9
3

Time (s)
Time
Average
(s)

=100mm)
8.13 8.26

8.18

7.78+ 8.11+8.25
3

=8.80

8.18+8.13+8.26
3

=8.05

Length
(mm)
Setting

=50mm)
8.11 8.25

7.78

=8.19

160
Plumb bob only

Plumb bob only

Weight 1N +

Weight 1N + Plumb

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

Plumb bob

bob

=50mm)

=100mm)

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

9.54

9.56

9.3

9.79

9.54+9.56+ 9.3
3
=9.47

10.05

9.74

9.4

9.79+10.05+9.74
3
=9.86

=50mm)
9.81 9.73

9.4+9.81+ 9.73
3
=9.65

Length

9.62

=100mm)
9.74 9.71

9.62+ 9.74+ 9.71

3
=9.69

250

(mm)
Setting

Time (s)

Plumb bob only

Plumb bob only

Weight 1N + Plumb

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

bob

bob

=50mm)

=100mm)

(Amplitude

(Amplitud

=50mm)

=100mm

10.77

11.18

11.08

11.24

11.06

11.13

10.58

10.44

10.85

Weight 1N + P

11.15

11.07

Time
10.77+ 11.18+11.08
3

Average
(s)

11.24 +11.06 +11.13

3

=11.01

10.58+10.44 +10.85
3

=11.14

11.15 +11.07+
3

=10.62

=11.06

Length
(mm)

280

Setting

Plumb bob only

Plumb bob only

Weight 1N + Plumb

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

bob

=50mm)

=100mm)

(Amplitude

Weight 1N +
bob

(Amplitu

=50mm)
Time (s)

11.32

11.23

11.47

11.84

11.42

11.31

11.09

11.02

=100mm
11.16

11.33

11.35

Time
11.32+ 11.23+11.47
3

Average (s)

=11.34

11.84 +11.42+11.31
3
=11.52

Length

11.09 +11.02+11.16
3

11.33 +11.35
3

=11.09

=11.50

360

(mm)
Setting

Time (s)

Plumb bob only

Plumb bob only

Weight 1N + Plumb

Weight 1N + Plumb

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

bob

bob

=50mm)

=100mm)

(Amplitude

(Amplitude

=50mm)

=100mm)

12.42

12.67

12.63

12.5

13.13

12.94

12.62

12.73

12.65

12.46

12.97

12.9

Time
Average
(s)

12.42+12.67+12.63
3
=12.57

12.5+13.13+ 12.94
3

12.62+12.73+12.65
3

=12.86

=12.67

12.46+ 12.97+12.9 3
3
=12.78

5.2 Result 2
Length of

L (m1/2)

T=10 cycles (s)

Time,t (s)

pendulum(m)
0.13

0.13= 0.36

=8.55/10

(2L/g)
=0.723

0.16

0.16= 0.4

=0.855
=9.49/10

=0.802

0.25

0.25= 0.5

=0.949
=11.01/10

=1.003

0.28= 0.529

=1.101
=11.34/10

=1.062

0.36= 0.6

=1.134
=12.57/10

=1.204

0.28
0.36

=1.257

5.3 Plot graph L versus t on a piece of paper and calculate the value of g

Value g :
t=2

L
g

t
L
=
2
g

g=

L
t
2

g=

0.36
0.723
2

g=3.1286
g=9.79m/ s2

10

6.0

DISCUSSION
a) Does the length of pendulum changes its periodic time?

Yes . the length of string pendulum changes its periodic time . the longer the length of string ,
the farther the pendulum falls and therefore the longer time taken to complete 1 oscillation .
in our result it shown that the longest string (100 mm) take more time to complete 10
oscillation compared to the shortest string (50 mm) .
b) Does the weight of the pendulum alter its periodic time?
No . the weight of pendulum does not effected the periodic time . This is because the factor
effecting the speed of pendulum is length of string and the acceleration due to gravity .
For example , when string length 130 mm and the setting plumb bob (amplitude 50mm) , the
average time is 8.55 seconds . 1N weight then added with the same length and amplitude the
time become 8.05 seconds . The time is reducing for this length at the different weight
But , when the length 160 mm , setting plumb bob (amplitude 50mm) the average time 9.47
seconds and when 1N weight is added at same condition , the average time increasing to 9.65
second .
So , the weight of the pendulum does not effect the periodic time .
c) Please explain how time, t varies as the length of pendulum, L varies
The longer the length of string , the longer the period of oscillation .
t=2

L
g

From the equation , we can conclude that when t increase , the L also increase .
d) Explain briefly how to build a simple time counting device using the principle of
simple pendulum
Pendulum in time counting made of weight or bob suspended by a rod of wood or metal . bob
is made as heavy as the suspension can support and the movement can drive . The crutch use
to hanging the pendulum and make pendulum keep swing . Each time the pendulum swings
through its centre position, it releases one tooth of the escape wheel .The force of the
clock'smainspring or a driving weight hanging from a pulley, transmitted through the
11

clock's gear train, causes the wheel to turn, and a tooth presses against one of the pallets ,
giving the pendulum a short push. The clock's wheels, geared to the escape wheel, move
forward a fixed amount with each pendulum swing, advancing the clock's hands at a steady
rate.
e) Data analysis for Percentage Error
Formula Percentage Error=

9.79 ms29.81 ms2

9.81 ms2

Experimental ValueTheoritical Value

x 100
Theoritical Value

0.002

7.0

CONCLUSION

From the experiment , we can conclude that the time of the simple pendulum is depends on
the length . The period of swing of a simple gravity pendulum depends on its length, the
local strength of gravity, and to a small extent on the maximum angle that the pendulum
swings away from vertical, 0, called the amplitude.[1]
Other than that , the value of gravitational acceleration obtained is 9.79ms -2 is 0.002%
percentage error compare to the theoretical value which is 9.81ms -2. It was nearest to the
theoretical value of gravity . The presence of the acceleration of gravity g for a pendulum
means that the local gravitational acceleration of the Earth can be calculated from the period
of a pendulum. A pendulum can therefore be used as a gravimeter to measure the
local gravity, which varies by over 0.5% across the surface of the Earth.[2]

8.0

REFERENCES
1. Milham, Willis I. (1945). Time and Timekeepers. MacMillan., p.188-194
2.

Voadlo, Lidunka. "Gravity, the shape of the Earth, isostasy, moment of inertia".
Retrieved 5 November 2012.
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