Physical Science

SCI-141-701

Dr. Nora Ortega

Special Lab Report 2

Frequency vs. Length

Terry Phebus
Abstract

In this experiment, it was determined the effect of the length of the pendulum on its frequency while

keeping constant the mass and amplitude. The graph of the frequency squared (f^2) and inverse

length (1/L) showed a relationship between frequency and length. The equation that correlates the

variables was f^2=0.233(1/L) + 0.010. The units were m^-1 s^-2. Comparing the experimental

equation with the theoretical equation, it was found that the experimental data has a percentage of

2.66% was calculated by comparing experimental to theoretical values.

Introduction

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of the length of the pendulum on its

frequency. Does the length of an object affect the rate at which it takes to complete five oscillations?

Understanding pendulums is important in my engineering projects and objects. Pendulums are used in

clocks, metronomes, amusement park rides, and earthquake seismometers. They are important to

engineers. Understanding pendulums is important in understanding motion, gravity, inertia, and

centripetal force. (Swing on a string- lesson.)

Theory

The length of a pendulum will affect the frequency.

Hypothesis

The shorter the length of the pendulum the faster the frequency.

List of the Variables

Length and frequency were the variables in this experiment.

Objectives

The objective of this experiment was to determine the affect the length of a pendulum has on its

frequency.

Materials

Materials used for this experiment were: a stopwatch, pendulum, and amplitude.

Procedure

1.Ctrl + click to follow link https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/pendulum-lab/latest/pendulum-

lab_en.html

2. Click Intro & tools need will appear on the screen.

3. You can see where you can set up the length, mass, gravity (which will be Earth’s gravity in our

experiment), angle (amplitude), and activate the stopwatch.

4. Set up: Move the blue-button using the mouse - Length = 0.20 m - Mass = 0.50 kg (it is a constant

value through all experiment) - Gravity: select Earth - Friction: none

5. Activate the stopwatch. The stopwatch will appear (start and reset options)

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. To stop the pendulum, click on the red bottom.

8. Record the data in Table 1.

9. Repeat the procedure from 1 to 9 but change the length to 0.30 m.

10.Repeat the same procedure for the other lengths listed in Table 1.

11.Calculate the average time

12.Calculate the period (T) of oscillation applying the equation and frequency.

Experimental Data

Frequnecy vs. Length

1.2

1
f(x) = − 0.6955 x + 1.09007777777778
Frequnecy (f) (Hz)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1
Length (L) (m)
 Frequency vs. Inverse Length
1.2

1 f(x) = 0.148315764231462 x + 0.354887656441678

Frequency (f) (Hz)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Inverse Length (1/L) (1/m)

Frequency Square vs. Inverse Length

1.2
f(x) = 0.223228408112129 x + 0.00965822305744779
Frequency Squared (f^2) (Hz^2)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Inverse Length (1/L) (1/m)

Sample of Calculation
Experimental Equation
f^2=0.223(1/L)+0.010
Theoretical Equation Given
f^2=(g/4pie^2)(1/L)
Conclusion was slope = 0.223
Solve for f^2.
The percentage of error between experimental and theoretical values is 0.0266%

Conclusion
The relationship between frequency squared and inverse length is proportional. When the length
increased the frequency decreased. The graph of frequency squared, and inverse length showed a linear
tendency; it indicated the relationship between frequency squared and inverse length is proportional. The
equation that correlates these variables was f^2=0.223(1/L) + 0.010. A percentage error of 2.66% was
found comparing the experimental and theoretical values. The possible source of error could be attributed
to the stopwatch timing and pendulum release.

References

Swinging on a string - lesson. TeachEngineering.org. (2022, June 17 from

https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_mechanics_lesson09