UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

CAWANGAN PAHANG
(KAMPUS JENGKA)

PHY 210
MECHANICS II AND THERMAL PHYSICS

TITLE :THE OSCILLATION OF A SIMPLE PENDULUM

EXPERIMENT NO. :EXPERIMENT 2
DATE SUBMISSION : 11 MAY 2023
LECTURER’S NAME :DR AHMAD FAIROZ BIN AZIZ
GROUP : AS1202 J , Group 3

GROUP MEMBERS :
NO. NAME STUDENT ID
1. SITI NUR SHAHADA BT ILIAS 2022816276
2. NUR BATRISYIA ERVANA BT AZRUL SYAHIZAN 2022468952
3. ALISA NADIA BT NOORSAZALI 2022834792
OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the value of an acceleration due to gravity, g by using a
simple pendulum.

APPARATUS
1. A pendulum bob
2. 1m thread
3. Stop watch
4. Protactor
5. Metre ruler
6. Cork
7. Retort stand and clamp
PROCEDURE
1. The pendulum was assembled and the length was initially set 80.0 cm.
2. The pendulum was displaced to one side with a small angle (less than 10˚).
3. The pendulum released and simultaneously started the stopwatch.
4. The timer was stopped when the pendulum has completed ten oscillations.
5. The length, L and the time taken for ten oscillations was recorded in Table 1.
6. Step 2 was repeated to step 5 for another two readings by using the same
length, L.
7. The whole steps above was repeated with different length of L.
8. Table 2.1 was completed.

RESULT
Table 2.1: Observed Data
Length,L Time for 10 oscillations (s) Period,T �2
(cm) First Second Third Average (s)
80 18.14 17.93 18.11 18.06 1.81 3.28
70 17.18 17.13 17.44 17.25 1.33 3.00
60 16.13 15.73 16.05 15.97 1.60 2.56
50 14.75 14.70 14.52 14.66 1.47 2.16
40 13.35 13.48 13.61 13.48 1.35 1.82
30 12.30 12.18 12.14 12.21 1.22 1.49
ANALYSIS

1. Plot a graph of �2 versus L.

2. Determine the gradient.
�2 −�1
Gradient, m =
�2 −�1

3.28−1.49
=
0.80−0.30

= 3.58 m/s

3. From the gradient, calculate the acceleration of gravity g.

4�2
�2 =
�
L+c

y = mx+c

4�2
=m
�

4�2
�
= 3.58

4�2
g= 3.58

g = 11.03 ��−2

4. Compare the acceleration of gravity,g experimentally and theoretically.

[ ������������ ����� − �ℎ��������� ����� ]

Percentage difference = × 100
[ �ℎ��������� ����� ]

(11.03)−(9.81)
Percentage difference = ×100
(9.81)

= 12.4 %
PRE - LAB QUESTIONS

1. If the angle of oscillation is large, what is its effect to oscillation?

The number of cycles per unit time decreases as the oscillation’s angle
increases. As a result, the response distance decreases.

2. What happens to the period of the pendulum if we double the mass of its
bob?
Not changed because the time period of the pendulum does not depend on
the mass of bob.

DISCUSSION
This experiment was carried out to determine the gravity-related acceleration,
G, using Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM). We can determine the gradient's
value from the graph, which is 3.58 m/s2. We can determine the acceleration
of gravity from the gradient.
�2 = (4�2 � + �
�2 + � = 4�2 + �
� = 4�2 + �
4�2
3.58 =
�
� = 11.03 ��−2
According to the experiment, gravity's acceleration, or g, is 11.03 m/s2 rather
than the 9.81 m/s2 predicted by theory. We can calculate the percentage
error from the analysis, and it was 12.4%. Since the value was higher than 10%,
it is unacceptable.Because the pendulum release and the time count are not
simultaneous, this experiment was not accurate.
10.76 −(9.81)
Percentage difference = x 100
9.81
= 9.86%
There are no modifications when the oscillation's angle is large because there
is no effect on the oscillation. Even if we increase the mass of the hanging
object, the pendulum's period remains unchanged. We discovered from this
experiment's findings that the period is independent of either the mass of the
hanging object or the oscillation's initial angle. The length of the string does, in
fact, affect the period.

CONCLUSION
The acceleration of gravity is 11.03 ��−2