Steel

Time for 30
Length Length Period τ
complete τ2 K g
l (cm) l (m) (s)
oscillations
17.00 0.17 23.37 0.78 0.61 3.57 11.06
27.50 0.28 32.55 1.09 1.18 4.28 9.22
40.50 0.41 41.05 1.37 1.87 4.62 8.54
58.50 0.59 45.65 1.52 2.32 3.96 9.97
Table 1: Table representing the period and g for different length of the rope attached to a steel ball

K of Steel ball pendelum

2.50

f(x) = − 6.21 x² + 8.88 x − 0.74

2.00 R² = 1

1.50
τ2

1.00

0.50

0.00
0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70
Length of the pendelum l (m)

Chart 1: chart representing relationship between period and length of the rope

Wood
Time for 30
Length Length
complete Period τ (s) τ2 K g
l (cm) l (m)
oscillations
15.00 0.15 27.00 0.90 0.81 5.40 7.31
30.00 0.30 32.90 1.10 1.20 4.01 9.85
45.00 0.45 35.90 1.20 1.43 3.18 12.41
63.10 0.63 50.97 1.70 2.89 4.57 8.63
Table 2:Table representing the period and g for different length of the rope attached to a wooden ball
 K of Wooden ball pendelum
3.50

3.00
f(x) = 9.29 x² − 3.16 x + 1.14
2.50 R² = 0.97

2.00
τ2

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00
0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70
Length of the pendelum l (m)

Chart 2: chart representing relationship between period and length of the rope

The Graph result in a straight line, giving a relationship between τ2 and l of the form:

τ 2 = K.l
4 π2
where K = g
Hence the value of g, acceleration due to gravity, can be determined.

Discussion:

The results show a big difference between the numerical and the graphical value of g. This may be due
to some inaccuracies:

1. Time reaction error: when measuring the period using a stopwatch, the reaction time
of the observer plays a significant role when starting the stopwatch and when
stopping it. This error can be minimized by repeating the experiment many times.
Maybe taking the average of 10 trials is enough.
2. The friction between the ball and the surrounding air may introduce some errors.
3. The precise measurement of the length of the pendulum is difficult to take by rulers.
4. The arc angle also introduces errors. As much as possible small angles must be used.

The periodic time is:

 l
T =2 π
√ g
Thus, the only things that affect the period of a simple pendulum are its length and the
acceleration due to gravity. The period is completely independent of other factors, such as
mass.
The longer the length of string, the farther the pendulum falls; and therefore, the longer the
period, or back and forth swing of the pendulum.
Note the dependence of T on g: If the length of a pendulum is precisely known, it can actually
be used to measure the acceleration due to gravity.