PHYSICS LAB REPORT NO.

6 2017
2017

PHYSICS LAB REPORT

NO. 6
Compound pendulum

SCHOOL:
SMME

VENUE:
Lab A (SNS)

SUBMITTED TO:
Hina jamil
Ayesha tahir

SUBMITTED BY:
Group No # A6

➢ Muhammad HashirZaheer
➢ Muhammad Mubashir
➢ Hassan Ali
➢ Saad Raza
➢ Hafsa Sajjad

Date of Submission:
11/14/2017
 PHYSICS LAB REPORT NO. 6 2017

EXPERIMENT

Abstract:
In this experiment we study the behavior of the Compound Pendulum. The compound Pendulum is used
to calculate the value of gravitational acceleration. Different values of length and time period are
recorded and using them, we calculate the gravitational acceleration using established formulas.

Theory:
Compound pendulum:

A compound pendulum consisting of any swinging rigid body, which is free to rotate about a fixed
horizontal axis, is called a Compound Pendulum or physical pendulum. In compound Pendulum the mass
is not concentrated at a single point. We take different readings of length (distance from center of
gravity) and time period for different points on the rod, and then draw a graph between L and T. We use
this graph to find the value of g.

A Bar(compound) pendulum

Here we are using a Bar pendulum where “a bar pendulum is the simplest form of compound
pendulum. It is in the form of a rectangular bar (with its length much larger than the breadth and the
thickness) with holes (for fixing the knife edges) drilled along its length at equal separation”

2
 PHYSICS LAB REPORT NO. 6 2017
If a bar pendulum of mass M oscillates with a very small amplitude θ about a horizontal axis passing
𝑑2 𝜃
through it, then its angular acceleration ( 𝑑𝑡 2 ) is proportional to the angular displacement θ. The motion
is simple harmonic and the time period T is given by

𝑘2
+𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ 𝑙
𝑔

Some other terms must also be defined to make scenario a bit clearer. “Radius of gyration refers to
distribution of gyration i.e of the components of an object around an axis. In terms of [moment of
inertia], it is the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to a point mass(m) that gives an
equivalent inertia to the original object(s). Simply, Distance from center of mass of body to pivot point is
radius. where I denotes the moment of inertia of the pendulum about the horizontal axis through its
center of suspension and l is the distance between the center of suspension and center of gravity (C.G.)
of the pendulum.

Where moment of inertia is given by;

𝐼 = 𝑚𝑘 2

Here k is the radius of gyration.

Procedure:
➢ Balance the pendulum on a wedge with a sharp edge and mark the exact position of its centre of
gravity at G.
➢ Level the support and suspend the pendulum on it.
➢ Displace the pendulum slightly and release it to vibrate.
➢ Note the time for 20 vibrations and also measure the length from C.O.M up to the bottom of the
first hole i.e., the axis about which the pendulum vibrates.
➢ Now repeat the process to note the time for 20 vibrations for each hole (upper end), and then
repeat the process for the lower 10 holes too. Also measure the corresponding distances from
C.O.M in case of every hole.
➢ Calculate the time period T in each case.
➢ Take T along y-axis on the graph and distance from G along x-axis, plot a graph getting two
smooth and mean curves on both sides of G.
➢ Draw a line ABCDE parallel to x-axis but not near the bends of the curve. The length of the
𝒌𝟐 𝒌𝟐
equivalent simple pendulum, 𝐋 = 𝒍 + 𝒍
= AD or BE, i.e., AC = 𝒍 and CD = 𝒍
, D being the centre
𝒌𝟐
of oscillation. Similarly, CE = 𝒍 and BC = 𝒍 , B being the centre of oscillation. Calculate 'g' using
𝑳
the relation g = 4π2𝑻 , where T is the value of time period at C.
➢ Weigh the pendulum and find out its mass M.
➢ calculate k2 = AC.

3
 PHYSICS LAB REPORT NO. 6 2017
o CD = BC.CE
√𝑨𝑪.𝑪𝑫+ √𝑩𝑪.𝑪𝑬
o and k=
𝟐
o Find out mean k.
➢ Find out moment of inertia of the problem using the relation
I = Mk2

Data analysis:
tables:

a) Find time and length for above:

No. of Length Time for 20

𝒕
Obs. vibrations T = 𝟐𝟎
L t
cm s s
1. 48.5 32.48 1.6240
2. 43.5 31.49 1.5745
3. 38.5 31.15 1.5575
4. 33.5 30.56 1.5280
5. 28.5 30.45 1.5225
6. 23.5 30.91 1.5455
7. 18.5 32.21 1.6105
8. 13.5 35.20 1.7600
9. 8.5 41.32 2.0660
10. 3.5 65.7 3.2840

b) Find time and length for below:

No. Length Time for 20

𝒕
of vibrations T = 𝟐𝟎
Obs. L t
cm s s
1. 47.5 32.33 1.6115
2. 42.5 31.56 1.5780
3. 37.5 31.11 1.5550
4. 32.1 30.49 1.5245
5. 27.0 30.73 1.5365
6. 22.3 31.09 1.5545
7. 17.0 32.68 1.6340
8. 13.0 36.55 1.8275
9. 7.0 44.66 2.2330
10. 2.0 85.42 4.271

4
 PHYSICS LAB REPORT NO. 6 2017

graph:

Graph between Time period and Length

4.5
-2

3.5 3

2.5
-7 Time
8.5
Linear (Time)
-12 2
13.5
-47.5-42.5-37.5 -17 18.5 48.5
-32.1 -27-22.3 23.528.533.538.543.5
1.5

0.5

0
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60

5
 PHYSICS LAB REPORT NO. 6 2017
Find the intercepts:

From graph T=1.57 hence intercepts are;

A = -42.0

B = -21.3

C = 1.57

D = 22

E = 40

calculations:

Formulas for calculating the values needed are;

𝑨𝑫+𝑩𝑬
L= 𝟐

And

√𝑨𝑪.𝑪𝑫 + √𝑪𝑬.𝑩𝑪
k= 𝟐

After calculation

L=62.5cm, k=29.79cm and we know T=1.57sec

Calculate the value of g and I:

g is given by;

𝟒𝛑𝟐 𝒍
𝒈=
𝑻𝟐

Putting values

4(3.142 )(62.5)
𝑔=
1.572

gexp=1003.41 cm/sec2

I is given by;
I=mk2
Putting values (m=1.16kg, k=29.79 cm)
I = (1.16)(29.79)2
I=1029.43 kg.𝒄𝒎𝟐

6
 PHYSICS LAB REPORT NO. 6 2017

Percentage error in g:
Measured value of g=gexp=1003.41 cm/sec2
Theoretical value of g = 980 cm/sec2
𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆−𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆
Percentage Error = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆

1003.41−980
= 980
× 100

=2.38 %

Result:
The value of g and I from the experiment were found to be

g = 1003.41 cm/sec2

I = 1029.43 kg.𝒄𝒎𝟐

Conclusion & Discussion:

A compound pendulum is different from a simple pendulum because of the fact that the mass is not
concentrated at one point. But still, by making little substitutions, we can use the formulae of simple
pendulum.

This experiment will enable us;

• To determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) using a bar pendulum.

• To verify that there are two pivot points on either side of the Centre of gravity (C.G.) about
which the time period is the same.
• To determine the radius of gyration of a bar pendulum by plotting a graph of time period T of
oscillation against the distance L of the point of suspension from C.G.
• To determine the length of the equivalent simple pendulum.

There is some minor error that may be due to any factor ranging from the minor friction in the
apparatus to the unavoidable personal error that every human may have to some extent. Overall the
results are satisfactory, and the error is not too much.