PHYS 2202 LAB: Physics II

Week 04
Simple Harmonic Motion- Simple Pendulum
by
[Insert Student’s Name]

Due Date:
Objective
We have performed this lab to study the properties of simple harmonic motion as
well as to calculate the acceleration of gravity from measurement of the physical
length and vibratory period of a simple pendulum.
Equipment Used
 Cords, Clamps
 Scale
 Protractor
 Wooden Bob
 Support Rods
 Weights
 Metal Bob
 Meter Stick Timer (1/10 sec.)
Introduction
Simple harmonic motion is periodic or oscillatory; that is, after a certain time interval
known as the period, the object or system undergoing simple harmonic motion is in
the same physical state that it was in one period earlier. That is, the object (or
system) is in the same position traveling at the same speed and going in the same
direction, as it was earlier (one period earlier).
The force acting on the object or system which is responsible for the simple
harmonic motion is known as a restoring force; its most important properties are that
(a) it is a linear force, and (b) it is directed toward the equilibrium position of the
motion (the position at which the restoring force is zero).
In simple harmonic motion there is a constant and periodic interchange of potential
and kinetic energy. Each period of oscillation of a simple harmonic system has two
instants at which the potential energy is zero (i.e., the kinetic energy is a maximum)
and two instants when the kinetic energy is zero (the potential energy is a
maximum). The total energy (potential plus kinetic energy) is conserved (constant),
and thus the simple harmonic oscillator is a conservative system.
The period of oscillation in a simple harmonic oscillator does not depend upon the
amplitude (maximum travel or deflection) of the oscillator. The actual period of any
simple harmonic oscillator will depend upon the type of oscillator involved, but not
upon the size of the oscillator swing.
1
Period = T =
f

Period of oscillation for one vibration of the simple pendulum: T =2 π

√ L
g
Procedure
We will Weigh metal bob and record. Then, we will suspend metal bob from one end
of the cord and fix the other end to a rigid support so that the pendulum has a length
of 100 cm. Then, using a very small amplitude, we will record the time required for
20 complete oscillations. We will start the pendulum swinging before starting the
timer. Using the slotted length adjuster, we will repeat the above procedure for
pendulum length of 90 cm, 80 cm, etc. down to 10 cm. Then, we will discuss the
effects of changing the length of the pendulum and compare with the theoretical
value. From the data in the preceding table graph T 2exp vs L from the slope of this
curve, we will determine the acceleration of gravity and compare with the accepted
value, i.e., percent error. Then, we will set the length of the metal bob at 50cm and
measure the period for a 100,200,300,400 and 500 release angle and find the period
of the pendulum. Then, we will weigh the wood bob and using a length of 50cm and
a very small angle, we will measure the period.
Data Analysis
PART A (Period of a Pendulum- Variation with Length, finding the value of 𝒈)
Length l (cm) t time for 20 T exp t /20 (s) ΔT T 2 (sec2) Ttheory =

√
osc. (s) L
T =2 π
g

100 40.22 2.0110 38.209 4.044 2.006

90 38.124 1.9062 36.2178 3.633 1.903

80 36.006 1.8003 34.2057 3.241 1.794

70 33.748 1.6874 32.0606 2.847 1.678

60 31.262 1.5631 29.6989 2.443 1.553

50 28.504 1.4252 27.0788 2.031 1.418

40 25.522 1.2761 24.2459 1.628 1.268

30 22.134 1.1067 21.0273 1.224 1.098

20 18.194 0.9097 17.2843 0.827 0.897
10 13.294 0.6647 12.6293 0.441 0.634

By decreasing the length of the pendulum, it can be observed that the time for the
oscillations is decreasing for the pendulum which can alle be observed from the
formula, T =2 π
√ L
g
as T and l are directly proportional to each other. The
experimental values are quite close to the theoretical values and there some decimal
points difference in between them.
Slope from the graph: 4.0135
2 2
4π 4π
Acceleration of gravity: = =9.83
slope 4.0135
Length of the Metal Bob: 50cm
Angle θ (deg) t time for 50 osc. T exp t /50 (s) ΔT Ttheory =

√
(s) l
T =2 π (s)
980

10 71.28 1.4256 69.854 1.419

20 71.475 1.4295 70.045 1.419

30 71.675 1.4335 70.241 1.419

40 71.895 1.4379 70.457 1.419

50 72.57 1.4514 71.118 1.419

By increasing the angle of release of the pendulum, the time slightly increases for
the oscillation but not much. Moreover, the experimental values are quite close to the
theoretical values and there some decimal points difference in between them.

Mass of Wood Bob: 5.7g

Length of Wood Bob: 50cm

√
t time for 20 osc. (s) T exp t /20 (s) ΔT L
Ttheory = T =2 π (s)
g

28.518 1.4259 27.0921 1.418

It can be observed that by changing the metal bob mass to wood bob mass and
keeping the 50cm length, the time for one oscillation is almost same i.e., for metal
bob, the time for one oscillation was 1.4252s for 50cm length and for wood bob, it is
1.4259. So, the time for oscillation does not depends on the mass of the bob.
Questions Answers
Question 1:
a. The pendulum’s maximum velocity is the point when the pendulum is closest
to the center of the earth i.e., when the pendulum is vertical and pointing
straight down.
b. The acceleration of the pendulum is maximum at the end points of the swing,
and a minimum (zero) in the middle, at the lowest point.
c. At the highest point of its motion, i.e., farthest from the center, potential
energy of the pendulum is maximum.
d. The pendulum’s maximum kinetic energy is the point when the pendulum is
closest to the center of the earth i.e., when the pendulum is vertical and
pointing straight down.
Question 2:
When the temperature increases the length of the pendulum also increases and
hence its time period increases. Thus, it loses the time when temperature is
increased.
Question 3:
 T =2∗3.14∗
√ 6357∗103
9.8
=5657.9 s ≈ 1.4 hours

Conclusion
This lab was done to study the properties of simple harmonic motion as well as to
calculate the acceleration of gravity from measurement of the physical length and
vibratory period of a simple pendulum. We have completed all the parts of the lab
and included all the results and error analysis in the data section of the report. The
formulas used in the lab were T =2 π
√L
g
and T =2 π
√l
980
.