Lab Report

Experiment Number: M2
Experiment Name:
Compound Pendulum

COURSE TITLE: University Physics – I Lab

COURSE ID: PHY101L
SECTION: 15
SUBMITTED TO: Dr. Md. Mahbub Alam
Department of Physical Science, Independent
University, Bangladesh
SUBMITTED BY:
Shovik Sarker
Student Id: 2325652
Serial No: 25
Theory:

A simple pendulum consists of a small body called a ‘bob’ (usually a

sphere) attached to the end of a string. The mass of the bob may be
regarded as concentrated at its center of gravity and the length of the
pendulum is the distance of this point from the axis of suspension. A
rigid body mounted upon a horizontal axis so as to vibrate under the
force of gravity is a compound pendulum. The time period of a
compound pendulum of length L, is given by

T =2 ⊼
√ l
g

where g is the acceleration due to gravity and L is known as the length

of the simple equivalent pendulum.

Apparatus:

1. Compound Pendulum
2. Stop Watch

Observations & Measurements:

 Table: Period of oscillating “T” as a function of pendulum length

Time for Mean time

Distance Time
At the 10 for 10
Hole No From end period
top oscillation oscillation
A (cm) T (sec)
(sec) (sec)
(i) 20.72s
1 10 20.205 s 2.0205s
(ii) 19.69s
(i) 16.09s
2 20 16.19 s 1.619 s
End (ii) 16.29s
A (i) 15.48 s
3 30 15.82 s 1.9895 s
(ii) 15.61 s
(i) 15.97 s
4 40 15.82 s 1.6105 s
(ii) 15.67 s
(i) 19.79 s
1 - 10 19.895 s 1.9895 s
(ii) 20.00 s
(i) 15.90 s
2 - 20 16.105 s 1.6105 s
End (ii) 16.31 s
B (i) 15.45 s
3 - 30 15.455 s 1.5455 s
(ii) 15.46 s
(i) 15.97 s
4 - 40 16.17 s 1.617.s
(ii) 16.37 s

Figure:
Period of oscillation Vs Length of the pendulum:

Calculation:

We know the time of a compound pendulum,

T =2 ⊼
√ L
g

4 ⊼2 L
g= 2
T

Calculate the value of Time period and length of the graph,

Length AC = 59 cm

Length BD = 61 cm
AC + BD 59+61
∴ Mean Length L = =
2 2

= 60 cm

Time Period, T 2=2.5 s 2

 2
4⊼ L
∴ g = T2

4 × ( 3.1416 )2 × 60
= 2.5
2
= 947.486 cms
Known Value−experimental value
Percentage of error = Known value
× 100 %

981−947.486
= 981
×100 %

= 3.41 %

Result:

The value of g, acceleration due to gravity is 947.468 cms -2 and the

experimental error is 3.41%

Data analysis:

Our experiments yielded a value of 947.468 cms -2 from the acceleration

due to gravity; with an error approximately 3.41% we obtained to two
values of time form 10 oscillations and took their average in order to
reduce the error in our measurements. We tried to take proper
measurements.

Precautions:
1. The motion of the pendulum should be in a vertical plane. While
taking the time, start taking observations of ten two isolation to
avoid any irregular motion.
2. The amplitude of oscillation should be small
3. In measuring time an accurate stop watch should be used.