EXPERIMENT 5

CONCEPT OF FREE VIBRATION

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this experiment, students should be able to,

1. Apply the concept of vibration in application of the pendulum experiment.

(LOD 1, PLO 1, C3)
2. Conduct the experiment correctly using appropriate instruments and
methods. (LOD 4, PLO4, P4)
3. Demonstrate work effectively and cooperate in group to complete the
laboratory task. (LOD 7, PLO 9, A3)

CONTENT

5.1 INTRODUCTION

Mechanical vibrations are commonly unwanted or undesirable effects in

mechanical moving parts. It is the motion if a particle or body which oscillates
about a position of equilibrium. They are unwanted due to increase in
stresses and cause energy losses. In this experiment, the fundamental
principle of vibration is applied.

The objective of this experiment is to understand the principle of free

vibration in pendulum. A further objective is to obtain the validation of simple
pendulum theory and to observe the comparison of oscillation time (s) in
terms of two different pendulum and differences of the length.
 The Gunt Hamburg, TM 150 Universal Vibration System will be used
in this experiment.

5.2 EQUIPMENT LIST

Gunt Hamburg, TM 150 Universal vibration workbench, thread pendulum, steel

and wooden balls/bobs, steel ruler, stopwatch and rod pendulum.

5.3 PROCEDURES [1]

5.3.1 EXPERIMENT 1: Experiment of thread pendulum with 1.5

seconds period (T1 = 1.5s) of one oscillation/cycle.

1. Use the universal vibration workbench as shown in Figure 5.1 below.

Figure 5.1: Universal vibration workbench [1]

2. Use the apparatus shown in Figure 5.2, thread pendulum.

Figure 5.2: Thread pendulum. (1) Pendulum mount for a knife-edge
bearing with a rope clamping device. (2) Thread pendulums with steel
or wooden ball/bob [1]

3. For period of T = 1.5 s, the length (l ) is calculated according to the

theory calculation.

T2
l= .g
( 2 π )2

2
(1.5)
l= (9.81)
( 2 π )2

l=0.559 m

4. Set the thread length of approximately 0.56 m using the steel ruler.
Avoid parallax errors.

5. Swing the pendulum of steel bob for 20 oscillation (without considering

the angle of degree) and record the time taken by using a stopwatch.

6. Repeat procedure (4) and (5) by reducing the thread length according
to Table 1.1 given in sub-topic 1.4.5.

7. Repeat procedure (4), (5) and (6) using the pendulum of wooden bob.

8. Despite the difference in mass (steel m = 520g and wood m = 50g) the
period of oscillation is identical, examine the time, is it identical too.

9. Manually using the theory formula, calculate the time for one
oscillation.
5.3.2 EXPERIMENT 2: Experiment of rod pendulum and thread
pendulum of wooden bob with same centre of gravity distance.

1. Use the universal vibration workbench as shown in Figure 1.1 above.

2. Use the apparatus shown in Figure 1.3 below, rod pendulum with a
length of 800 mm. One end of the 800 mm long pendulum rod is
provided with a knife-edge and the rod then placed in the vees of the
pendulum mount. The pendulum is gently set in motion (deflection at
bottom end roughly 10 cm) and the time taken for twenty oscillations
measured with a stopwatch. Get the average time from three readings.
Use Table 1.2 in sub-topic 1.4.5 for guidance.

Figure 1.3: Rod pendulum [1]

3. Manually using the theory formula, calculate the time for one
oscillation.

T =2 π
√ 2 L
.
3 g

L= 0.8 m

g = 9.81 m/s
4. Refer Figure 1.2 and repeat procedure in 1.3.1., No. 2, by using the
thread pendulum with length 400 mm, where the centre gravity are
the same as the rod pendulum, rs-0 = L/2= 800/2=400 mm. The
pendulum is gently set in motion (deflection at bottom end roughly 10
cm) and the time taken for twenty oscillations measured with a
stopwatch. Get the average time from three readings. Use Table 1.2
in sub-topic 1.4.5 for guidance.

5.4 ACTIVITIY

In groups determined by the lecturer / instructor, you are to perform the

experiment in the lab and handwrite a lab report that consist of these
following items;

1. Front page
2. Theory
3. Methodology
4. Observation
5. Results
6. Calculations
7. Discussions
8. Conclusion and recommendations
9. Reference

5.5 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCE

[1] G.U.N.T. Gerätebau GmbH, 2009, Hamburg TM150

Experiment Instructions, TM150 Universal Vibration System,
Publication No.: 914.000 00A 150 12, 02/09, Hamburg,
Germany.
 FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology

Subject Name ENGINEERING LABORATORY IV

Title of Experiment CONCEPT OF FREE VIBRATION
Course Code BNJ 37301 Section :

Semester and session

Lecturer/Instructor Name

Group Members Matric No.

To be filled in by lecturer

No. Item Mark Weightage Score

1 Theory (C2) /5 2
2 Methodology (P2) /5 1

3 Observation (P3) /5 3

4 Results (P2) /5 2

5 Calculation (P4) /5 3
Assessment of
6 Discussion (C3) /5 5
Laboratory
8 Conclusion (C3) /5 3
Report
9 References (C1) /5 1
(Group Report)
Total cognitive (55%)

Total physhomotor (45%)

5.4.1 THEORY
(Write a short theory, or concepts, and insert background related to the
experiment, related science, physics and/or equations, and real-life
applications. Related diagrams and formulas should be stated. All your
sources need to be cited according to the American Psychological
Association (APA) system.)

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5.4.2 METHODOLOGY
(Write in passive voice, the flow of the experiment conducted. The writing of
the methodology can be guided of the procedures given in sub-topic 5.3.
Students may add extra procedures that has been actually done in the lab
(i.e. if not stated discreetly in sub-topic 5.3. Write in paragraphs instead of
numbers).

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5.4.3 OBSERVATIONS
(Write down your observation for the data collected from both results data.
Compare with theory. Write down the relationships between time and all
pendulums. Also write down your observation of the surroundings,
environment and of the experiment while in operation.)

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5.4.4 RESULTS
(Fill in Table 5.1. and Table 5.2.)

Reminder: the instructions is to take the time after swinging the

pendulum for 20 oscillations. The time for one oscillation is to be
calculated based on theory.

Table 5.1: Data for Experiment 1 [1]

Thread Time for 1 oscillation, T1(s) Time for 20 oscillation, T20(s)

length (m) Steel bob Wooden bob Steel bob Wooden bob
0.16
0.26
0.36
0.46
0.56

Table 5.2: Data for Experiment 2 [1]

Reading Time for 1 oscillation, Time for 20 oscillation,

T1(s) T20(s)
Rod Thread Rod Thread
pendulu pendulum pendulum pendulum
m Wooden bob Wooden bob
Reading 1
Reading 2
Reading 3
Average
reading

5.4.5 CALCULATIONS
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5.4.6 DISCUSSIONS
(Discuss comprehensively your reasons towards your observation and
results as mentioned. Fill it with 5 W’s, what, why, when, where and who’s.
Give scientific and theoretical relationships to explain your observations and
results. This can be proven from showing on the table and calculations)

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5.4.7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
(Write a summary and relate to the objective, theory, procedure set up,
result and discussion that you have discuss previously.

Write recommendations on how to improve this experiment in terms of better

procedures to get better results)
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5.4.8 REFERENCES
Sources that are referred to in your work, whether published or not, must be
stated. The source of information must be acknowledged in the text as well
as in the reference list. Proper acknowledgement is important because it will
help others locate and verify the original sources. Furthermore, proper
citation can avoid allegations of plagiarism. Acknowledgements in your work
must be linked to the list of reference using the “Author (Date)” system.
References should be cited in all parts of the lab report whenever the
sources are referred in your work.
The Author (Date) System also known as the American Psychological
Association (APA) system. Write a minimum of 5 references. Make sure the
references are cited as required in your report not just limited to the theory
section. At least 50% of references are recent, i.e. within past 5 years of
current study.
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