SCI 141

Dr. Ortega

Special Lab Report

2: Simple Pendulum
(Length Variation)

Kara Blevins
4-28-2020
Abstract

In this experiment, the effect of the length of the pendulum on its frequency while keeping the

mass (m) constant and the amplitude (0) was determined. The graph of length and frequency did

not show a linear tendency. The relationship between frequency and the inverse of length was

also proven to not be linear. This indicated that the relationship between frequency square (𝑓 2 )

and inverse of length (1/L) was linear and directly proportional. The relation that correlates these

variables is 𝑓 2 =0.240 1/L +0.0082, where the units of the slope (0.240) and the y-intercept

(0.0082) were m and 𝑠 2 , respectfully. Comparing the equation, we can conclude that the slope of

the line must be equal to g/4π^2. A percentage of error of 3.4% was calculated comparing the
𝑚 𝑚
experimental value of g (9.48𝑠2 )to the theoretical value (9.8𝑠2 ).

Introduction

The concept of the pendulum is used in our everyday lives. They have been studied since the

1600’s when Galileo Galilei began creating experiments with the pendulum. Following Galileo,

Christiaan Huygens created the pendulum clock in 1656. One application of the concept of the

pendulum is a clock (especially grandfather clocks). Here’s how it works, “The pendulum

swings back and forth at exact intervals determined by the length at which the pendulum is

suspended. To measure time accurately, a pendulum clock must remain stationary. Any

sudden maneuver of the clock interferes with the regular motion of the pendulum” (Abel,

2018). A notable detail is how the period can be made longer by the length- as demonstrated

in this experiment.
 Pendulums are also used to keep the beat in metronomes. Here’s an example of how it

works, The metronome dates to the 19th century. It is a hollow box with a pendulum attached

to a moving weight with a fixed weight at the bottom. A number scale allows the musician to

adjust the tempo desired for the piece being played” (Abel, 2018). Overall, the concept of the

simple pendulum can be used in many different ways.

Theory
According to Mary Abel, “Every pendulum is some kind of mass hung from a fixed point that

swings freely by the force of gravity and remains in motion until another force stops it” (Abel,

2018). The main variables needed to describe a pendulum include, the mass (control variable),

the length of the pendulum (the manipulate variable), and the time, period, or frequency ( the

response variable). The theoretical equation that correlates length and frequency of the simple
𝑔 1
pendulum is (𝑓 2 =4𝜋^2 𝐿). Meaning the length of the string affects the pendulums period- the

longer the string the longer the period. It also effects the frequency of the pendulum because it

will then change the rate at which the pendulum moves back and forth.

Hypothesis

I believe the longer the string the longer the period and the shorter the string the smaller the

period. When the string is longer the frequency will be lower and when the string is shorter the

frequency will be higher. I think they will also be inversely related.

List of Variables
The control variable included: mass. It did not change.
The manipulate variable included: Length of pendulum. It was changed purposely.
The response variable included: Time (period, frequency). It changed as a result.
Objective

The objective was to determine the effect and relationship of the length of the simple pendulum

on its frequency while we keep the mass (m) constant and the amplitude (0).

Materials

Materials for this experiment included an online program to conduct the experiment (i.e. PhET

Interactive Simulations) and the tools from the program which were: pendulum (cord and mass),

chronometer, protractor, a stop watch, and a ruler.

Procedure
Steps listed below:

1. Click link to get to simulator. (https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/pendulum-

lab/latest/pendulum-lab_en.html)
2. Click intro.
3. Activate stopwatch.
4. Set length to 0.20 meters and mass to 50.0 kg (it will remain constant).
5. Set gravity to Earth and set friction to none.
6. Set up the angle (amplitude) by clicking on the blue mass and dragging it to  = 15°
(amplitude-  = 15°, it is a constant value through all experiment). Release the mass and
using the stopwatch measure the time taken for 5 oscillations (n = 5) (back and forth).
Complete three trials (t1, t2 and t3).
7. Record all data in table 1.
8. Repeat the same procedure for the other lengths listed in Table 1.
9. Calculate the average time - taverage = (t1 + t2 + t3) /3
𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 1
10. Calculate the period (T) of oscillation by using, T= and frequency, f=𝑇
5
Experimental Data
Table 1. Simple Pendulum-Length variation
Time taken for 5 oscillations
Length 𝑡1 (s) 𝑡2 (s) 𝑡3 (s) Average Period Frequency Inverse Frequency
(L) (m) time (s) (T) (s) (f) (Hz) of Squared
Length 𝑓 2 (Hz)
1/L (m)
0.20 4.56 4.56 4.56 4.56 0.91 1.099 5.00 1.208
0.30 5.57 5.60 5.60 5.59 1.12 0.894 3.33 0.799
0.40 6.42 6.47 6.37 6.42 1.28 0.781 2.50 0.610
0.50 7.11 7.20 7.23 7.18 1.44 0.694 2.00 0.482
0.60 7.83 7.77 7.85 7.82 1.56 0.641 1.67 0.411
0.70 8.42 8.49 8.44 8.45 1.69 0.592 1.43 0.350
0.80 9.09 9.04 9.08 9.07 1.81 0.552 1.25 0.305
0.90 9.51 9.55 9.66 9.57 1.91 0.524 1.11 0.275
1.00 10.07 10.12 10.13 10.11 2.00 0.500 1.00 0.250

Frequency Vs. Length

1.2

0.8
frequency (f)

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
length (L)

The graph above is not liner and the relationship and inverse proportional
 Frequency Vs. Inverse of Length
1.2

1
Frequency (f)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Inverse of length (1/L)

The graph above is not liner and the relationship and inverse proportional

Frequency Square Vs. Inverse of Length

1.4
y = 0.2398x + 0.0082
1.2
R² = 0.9999
Frequency sqaure (f^2)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Inverse of Length (1/L)

The graph above is linear. The inverse of length is close to 0 and the frequency is also 0, this
only occurs in this graph.
Sample Calculations
*Averaging the time (s) taken for 5 oscillations for each length (m). Add 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , and 𝑡3 together

for each distance and divide by 3.

9.51s+9.55s+9.66s=9.57s
 28.72𝑠
= 9.57𝑠
3

𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒
*Calculate the period (T) of oscillation by using, T= 5

5.59𝑠
T= 5

=1.12 s

1
*Calculate frequency (f) by using, f=𝑇

1
f=1.12𝑠

f=0.894Hz

*Square frequency for each length.

0.694𝐻𝑧 2

0.694Hz× 0.694𝐻𝑧 = 0.482𝐻𝑧 2

*Finding in inverse of each length

1
Inverse of length=𝐿

1
= 5.00𝑚
0.20𝑚

*Calculating experimental acceleration of gravity (g) using the slope from graph f^2 vs. 1/L
 𝑚
𝑔 = (0.240 ) (4𝜋 2 )
𝑠2

𝑚
g=9.48 𝑠2

*Finding experimental error

𝒂 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙−𝒂 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
%Error=| | × 100
𝒂 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙

𝑚 𝑚
9.48 2 −9.8 2
𝑠 𝑠
% Error=| 𝑚 | 𝑥100
9.8 2
𝑠

% Error= 3.4%

Discussion of Results

The shape of the graph of frequency squared (𝑓 2 ) (y-axis) and inverse of length (1/L) (x-axis)

told us that it was linear. This was because frequency squared is directly proportional to the

inverse of length. We also concluded from the shape of the graph of frequency (f) and length (L)

that it was not linear. Finally, we know the graph of frequency (f) and inverse of length (1/L) is

also not linear. We can also conclude that the period and frequency are inversely related i.e.

f=1/T and T=1/f. The value and units of the slope were 0.240 m/𝑠 2 . The experimental equation
1
was 𝑓 2 = 0.240 𝐿 + 0.0082. The experimental acceleration of g was also found to be close to the

theoretical value. There was a 3.4% experimental error, this could have been from stopping the

pendulum too soon or too late.

Conclusion
It can be concluded that the proportionality between frequency squared (𝑓 2 ) and inverse of

length (1/L) is directly proportional. The experimental equation that showed this relationship was
1
𝑓 2 = 0.240 𝐿 + 0.0082 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 . It can also be shown from the graphs above that frequency (f)

and length (L) and frequency (f) and inverse of length (1/L) are indirectly proportional. The

hypothesis given was proven true as the length does affect the period which inversely effects the

frequency. The longer the string the longer the period and the shorter the string the shorter the

period. the frequency became lower with long periods and higher with short periods. We also

concluded that the slope=g/4π^2. A percentage of experimental error of 3.4% was found, when

comparing the experimental and theoretical values of g. The likely source of error could be due

to delayed reactions when using the stopwatch. For future research, having the pendulum stop

automatically after 5 oscillations would be beneficially to making the online program more

accurate- as it can be easy to make errors on the computer.

References:

Abel, M. (2019, March 2). What Are the Uses of Pendulums? Retrieved from

https://sciencing.com/uses-pendulums-8541430.html