PHYSICS GRADE 11

EXPERIMENT 1
Determining the value for the acceleration of free fall g using a simple pendulum
Aim:
The aim of the experiment is to measure the acceleration due to gravity using a simple pendulum.

Theory:
Many things in nature wiggle in a periodic manner. That is, they vibrate. One such example is a simple pendulum.
If we suspend a mass at the end of a piece of string, we have a simple pendulum. The back and forth motion
represents a periodic motion. Such motion is called simple harmonic motion. It was Galileo who first observed that
the time a pendulum takes to swing back and forth through small distances depends only on the length of the
pendulum. The time of this to and fro motion, called the period 𝑇, does not depend on the mass of the pendulum or
on the size of the arc through which it swings.
Another factor involved in the period of motion is, the acceleration due to gravity g:

4𝜋 2 𝑙
𝑔=
𝑇2
where 𝑙 is the length measured in metres.
It follows then that a long pendulum has a greater period than a shorter pendulum.

Apparatus:
1. ……………………………………….. [1]
2. ………………………………………..

Method:
1. Measure the length of the pendulum to the middle of the pendulum bob. Record the length of the
pendulum below in the readings section.
2. Displace the pendulum bob slightly and releases it so that it swings freely. Measure the time 𝑡 for 20
complete oscillations.
3. Repeat step 2 ten times and record your measurements in table 1 below.

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Readings:
Length 𝑙 =………………………………𝑐𝑚 [6]

Reading Time taken for 20 complete oscillations / 𝑠

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Results and Discussion:

1. Convert the length 𝑙 of the pendulum to metres [1]

𝑙 =……………………𝑚
2. 𝑙 is measured from the clamp to the centre of the bob.
Explain briefly how you would avoid a parallax error when measuring 𝑙 [1]
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Identify the anomalous result (s) in Table 1. if any. [1]

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Calculate the average time taken 𝑡 for 20 oscillations. [1]

𝑡 =……………………𝑠
5. Calculate the period T of the pendulum.
The period is the time for one complete oscillation [1]

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 𝑡 =……………………𝑠
6. Calculate the acceleration of free fall g. [2]
Give your answer to three significant figures.

𝑔 =…………………𝑚⁄𝑠 2

7. The value of g in the text book is 29.80 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 .

Apart from any error in timing, suggest a practical reason why the result obtained from the experiment may
differ from the value in the book. [1]
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total Marks: 15]

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