Applied Physics Lab (DL Mode)

Report # 6

Submitted by: Group A4

ME-12 (C)

Members:
➢ Syed Tallay Haider
➢ Syed Muhammad Hassan Kazmi
➢ Muhammad Haroon

Submitted to: Madam Ayesha Zaheer

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME)

National University of Sciences and Technology
(NUST) H-12, Islamabad
 Compound Pendulum Experiment
Abstract:
The goal of this experiment is to process a set of data obtained by observing a
compound pendulum in order to find gravitational acceleration (g) as well as radius of
gyration and moment of inertia of the compound pendulum. A graph of time period
against centre of gravity is to be plotted for the same.

Theory:
A compound pendulum is simple terms is any rigid body possessing the capability of
vibrating about the horizontal axis passing through it. While in a simple pendulum the
mass is concentrated in the bob, in a compound pendulum it is distributed over the
whole body.
Graph is first plotted for time period against centre of gravity from the data collected.

Points A, B, C, D & E are noted from the

graph.
Determining the length L and time period
for 1 oscillation T is done by first plotting
the graph. Using distance formula, lengths
̅̅̅̅
AD and ̅̅̅̅
BE are determined. The length of
the compound pendulum is then given as:
̅̅̅̅ + BE
AD ̅̅̅̅
L=
2
For time period, time for a set number of oscillations is taken a few times, then the average
time is divided by the number of oscillations to determine time period. So;
𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔
T=
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
Thereafter, the following formula can be used to determine gravitational acceleration g:
L
g = 4π2
T2
For radius of gyration lengths ̅̅̅̅
AC , ̅̅̅̅
CD, ̅̅̅̅
BC & ̅̅
CE̅̅ are calculated by distance formula then
the radius of gyration k is calculated as:

√̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅ + √BC.

AC. CD ̅̅̅̅ CE
̅̅̅̅
k=
2
Moment of inertia I is calculated by the following formula:
I = mk 2
Where m is the mass of compound pendulum and k is the radius of gyration.
Apparatus:
❖ Compound pendulum
❖ Supporting stand
❖ Stopwatch
❖ Meter rule
❖ Weighing scale

Procedure:
❖ Mark the centre of gravity G on the metal rod that is to serve as the compound
pendulum.
❖ Fix the screw at the first hole above the centre of mass and measure the length
from centre to this point with metre rule.
❖ Suspend the compound pendulum of the retort stand and give a small amplitude.
Measure time for 25 oscillations. Repeat as many times as needed and calculated
average time tavg. This reduces random error.
❖ Calculate time period as:
𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔
T=
25
❖ Repeat the above procedure for 8 more different lengths above the centre of
gravity for a total of 9 observations. Flip the rod and repeat the same, again
taking 9 readings.
❖ Record the data in a tabular form, plot the graph for time period against centre
of gravity and make required calculations using aforementioned formulae.

Data Analysis and Calculation:

For Side ‘A’

Part A
Sr Length from Time for 25 Time
# centre oscillations Period
L t 𝐭
𝐓=
(cm) (s) 𝟐𝟓
(s)
1 45.4 40.56 1.6224

2 39.7 39.87 1.5948

3 34.7 38.94 1.5576
4 29.5 38.74 1.5496
5 24.5 38.96 1.5584
6 19.1 40.56 1.6224
7 14.2 43.28 1.7312
8 09.4 50.61 2.0244
9 04.2 70.88 2.8352
For Side ‘B’

Part B
Sr Length from Time for 25 Time
oscillations
# centre Period
t 𝐭
L
𝐓=
(s) 𝟐𝟓
(cm)
(s)
1 46.2 40.44 1.6176
2 38.4 39.71 1.5884
3 36.6 38.93 1.5572
4 31.5 38.59 1.5436
5 26.0 38.36 1.5344
6 20.4 39.82 1.5928
7 15.3 42.30 1.6920
8 10.1 48.10 1.9240
9 05.1 63.12 2.5248

Mass of the pendulum =1.16kg

Graph:
From the graph it can be seen that:
A (-35.9,1.555)
B (-23.5,1.555)
C (0,1.555)
D (23.8,1.555)
E (37.8,1.555)

Calculations:
Length of pendulum:
̅̅̅̅
AD = 59.7
̅̅̅̅ = 47.3
BE
̅̅̅̅
AD + ̅̅̅̅
BE
L=
2

59.7 + 47.3
L=
2

L = 53.5cm
Gravitational Acceleration (g):
L
g = 4π2
T2
53.5
g = 4π2
(1.555)2
g = 967.193cms−2

g = 9.67ms−2

Percentage Error:
|Experimental value − Actual value|
%Error = × 100%
Actual value
|9.67 − 9.81|
%Error = × 100%
9.81
%Error = 14%
Radius of Swing/gyration:(k):

√̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅ + √BC.

AC. CD ̅̅̅̅ CE
̅̅̅̅
k=
2
 √(35.9)(23.8) + √(23.5)(37.8)
k=
2
k = 29.52cm

k = 0.2952m
Moment of Inertia:
I = mk 2
I = (1.16)(0.2952)2

I = 0.101 kgm2

Conclusion:
The graph obtained by plotting the required values was as we expected it to be. Values
for radius of gyration, moment of inertia and gravitational acceleration were then
calculated by utilising plotted graph and requisite formulae. A fairly accurate value of g,
9.67 metres per seconds squared was obtained with a 14% error from the standard
value. Radius of gyration was found to be 0.2952 metres and the moment of inertia
calculated was 0.101 kgm2 .