ENPHYS1L Calculus-Based Physics for Engineers

Laboratory Formal Report

Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Alden Jireh M. Agcongay1, Ranya Renee Catris2, Angelo Joseph Fabie3, Rolando Oyo-a4, John Ruben S. Talbos5

1
College of Engineering, National University, Manila

Abstract. This research explores the relationship between distance and time in uniformly accelerated motion within a
vertical pendulum setting. The study aims to understand how the length of the pendulum affects the acceleration of an
object moving uniformly towards the Earth. Ten trials were conducted at three different heights (75cm, 100cm, and
125cm), with the average time for each trial calculated. The experiment utilized materials such as an iron stand, iron
ring, meter stick, stopwatch, cork/rubber bob, and string/chord. Results indicate that as the length of the pendulum
increases, the average acceleration decreases, highlighting the influence of length on the motion. However, a notable
margin of error raises concerns about the reliability of the findings. Possible sources of error, including external
factors such as Earth's rotation and gravitational pull, suggest the need for more controlled experiments. The research
concludes that additional investigations with precise measurements and controlled variables are necessary to validate
the observed relationship between length and acceleration. Understanding uniformly accelerated motion is crucial in
various disciplines, including physics and engineering, and further research may lead to new insights and
breakthroughs.

Keywords: Uniformly Accelerated Motion; Vertical Pendulum; Length; Acceleration; Experimental Error

INTRODUCTION time. The researcher use three different heights

In our study, we focused on observing the time
in a pendulum. The main objective of the
experiment was to determine the average time
for each of the 10 trials conducted at 3 different
heights. Additionally, we calculated the
corresponding error for each trial, as well as the
overall average and its error.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The researchers conducted this experiment to
observe how the pendulum works in a vertical
uniform way. The researchers observed that as
height increases, there is a slight increase in
to compare each trial altogether. After observing
for 10 trials each height, the researchers
calculate the gravity and get its average per trial,
the overall average, and its error.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The problem to be addressed through this study
is the uniform acceleration of a pendulum in a
vertical motion. Despite the fact that movement
of the pendulum is very studied, there is an issue
to understand the behavioural aspect or

1
ENPHYS1L Calculus-Based Physics for Engineers
Laboratory Formal Report
pendulum uniformed into a vertical setting. Most
of the studies consider a plane; the vertical
component is quite often ignored. Further, very
few studies have been carried out on the effects
of different lengths of a pendulum on the time a
shake may last. That is because when adequate
knowledge of uniform acceleration is known by
a pendulum in the vertical motion, it can be
helpful in areas that include engineering and
physics.
However, if appropriate steps are not taken to
address this issue, the repercussions of failure to
solve it could negatively impact numerous
industries that rely on pendulums for diverse
uses. For example, in the engineering field,
pendulums are used to measure time and,
similarly, since there is uniform acceleration in a
vertical motion, this can cause very good
mistakes if you do not understand how these
mechanics work completely. Also, from the
physics point of view, there is a possibility that
improper understanding in this field could
actually keep new theories and models from
being created.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
1 Introduction
The Uniformly Accelerated Motion refers to a
specific type of motion characterized by an object
moving in a straight line with a constant velocity.
In this motion, the object consistently covers equal
distances within equal time intervals, regardless of
the overall duration of time. The significance of the
principle of uniformly accelerated motion in
physics lies in its ability to enable predictions of
object motion under specific conditions. This
principle provides a framework for understanding
and anticipating the behavior of objects as they
undergo motion with a constant acceleration.
Laboratory experiments are conducted to gain a
more in-depth understanding of uniformly
Scope
1. Pendulum Setting: The study focuses on
uniformly accelerated motion within a
vertical pendulum setting, specifically
exploring the relationship between
pendulum length and acceleration.
2. Variable Heights: The experiment
includes three different heights (75cm,
100cm, and 125cm) to investigate the
impact of variations in length on the
motion of the pendulum.
3. Data Collection: The study involves the
execution of ten trials at each height,
recording the time it takes for the rubber
bob to descend from its release point to
the surface. The gathered data is then
used to calculate gravity, average values,
and errors.
Delimitation
1. External force by acknowledging
potential sources of error, such as Earth's
rotation and gravitational pull.
2. human error such as the precision of time
measurements, and the exact
measurements of height.
accelerated motion. These experiments aim to
provide detailed insights into the characteristics
and behavior of objects undergoing motion with
constant acceleration.
2 Materials and Methodology
The researchers used these materials and their
correct corresponding procedures to successfully
demonstrate how uniformly accelerated motion
works. The researchers have also shown the table
result of each three different heights and its overall
average and error.
2.1 Materials
2
 ENPHYS1L – Uniformly Accelerated Motion
2.1.1 Iron Stand
An Iron stand is used for fixing and supporting
various instruments, iron ring can replace the
funnel stand. Generally be usually used in
experimental implementation such as filtration,
and heating. The researchers used the iron stand as
the base of the whole pendulum system which
holds the irony ring to wherein the thread and the
rubber is connected.
2.1.2 Iron Ring
An iron ring or ring clamp is an item of laboratory
equipment that comprises a conjoined metal ring
and a radially extending rod. The researchers used
the iron ring which is attached to the iron base to
hold the thread.
2.1.3 Meter Stick
A meterstick is used to measure length and is
especially common in the construction industry.
They are often made of wood or plastic and often
have metal or plastic joints so that they can be
folded together. The researchers used the meter
stick to measure the height from the surface to the
base from where the rubber is being dropped.
2.1.4 Stopwatch
A laboratory stopwatch measures time intervals
using specific activation and deactivation points.
Analog or mechanical stopwatches are typically
controlled by two buttons. The first button starts
the timer the second stops the measurement, and
the elapsed time is displayed. The researchers used
the stopwatch to record the time from when the
ball is being dropped and when it reached the
surface.
2.1.5 Cork/Rubber
3
 ENPHYS1L – Uniformly Accelerated Motion

start the stopwatch after releasing the

rubber, and end the stopwatch once the
rubber has reached the surface.
3. Record the time for each trial then change
the height every after 10 trials. After
getting all the results, solve for the gravity
using the formula g=2h/t^2. After getting
the gravity, solve for its average before
solving the error using the formula
TV-AV/TV.

2.3 Figures and Tables

The researchers used the cork/rubber which serves
as the bob in the pendulum. It is used as the object
being dropped to record the time of when the
rubber is being dropped to reaching the surface.
2.1.6 String/Chord
The table below depicts the results of the first trial
of the uniformly acceleration motion experiment,
conducted with a drop height of 75 cm. The times
recorded in the table represent the duration it took
for the rubber to reach the ground. The
acceleration due to gravity (g) can be determined
using the formula g = 2h^2 / T^2. The overall
average acceleration for the 75 cm drop is
calculated by summing all the variables and
dividing by 10, resulting in 8.66 m/s^2. The
overall error for the 75 cm drop is calculated as
11.72% using the formula (TV - AV) / TV, where
TV is the theoretical value.

Table 1.

Length Time Gravity

75cm = 0.75
A string or cord is a material consisting of threads 0.41s 8.91m/s^2
of cotton, hemp, or other material twisted together
to form a thin length. The researchers used this to 0.44s 7.45m/s^2
attached and hold the rubber and the iron ring
0.36s 11.57m/s^2
together which serves as the whole pendulum
system. 0.37s 10.96m/s^2

0.45s 7.41m/s^2
2.2 Procedure
0.39s 9.86m/s^2
1. Prepare the materials needed for the
experiment. After preparing the materials, 0.44s 7.45m/s^2
set up a simple pendulum by attaching the 0.43s 8.11m/s^2
rubber at the end of the string/chord.
2. Using the meter stick, set the height of the 0.45s 7.41m/s^2
rubber from its base to its corresponding
0.44s 7.45m/s^2
height. Place the rubber from the base,
4
 ENPHYS1L – Uniformly Accelerated Motion

duration it took for the rubber to descend to the

ERROR:11.7 AVE:
2% 8.66m/s^2 ground. The formula used to determine the
acceleration due to gravity (g) is g = 2h^2 / T^2.
For the 125 cm drop, the overall average
The provided table presents the results of the acceleration is computed by adding all the
second trial in the uniformly acceleration motion variables and dividing by 10, resulting in 8.93
experiment, which involved a distinct drop height m/s^2. The overall error for the 125 cm drop is
of 100 cm. The recorded times in the table indicate then calculated as 8.97% using the formula (TV -
the duration taken for the rubber to descend to the AV) / TV, where TV represents the theoretical
ground. The formula g = 2h^2 / T^2 can be value.
utilized to determine the acceleration due to
gravity (g). In the case of the 100 cm drop, the
Table 3.
overall average acceleration is computed by
summing all variables and dividing by 10, yielding
Length Time Gravity
8.8 m/s^2. The overall error for the 100 cm drop is 125cm = 1.25
subsequently calculated as 10.30%, utilizing the 0.53s 8.90m/s^2
formula (TV - AV) / TV, where TV denotes the
theoretical value. 0.57s 7.69m/s^2

0.54s 8.57m/s^2
Table 2.
0.49s 10.41m/s^2
Length Time Gravity
0.57s 10m/s^2
100cm = 1
0.46s 9.45m/s^2
0.50s 10m/s^2
0.48s 8.68m/s^2
0.51s 9.61m/s^2

0.57s 7.69m/s^2
0.46s 9.45m/s^2
0.55s 8.26m/s^2
0.45s 9.88m/s^2
0.55s 8.26m/s^2
0.49s 8.33m/s^2
ERROR:8.97 AVE:
0.51s 7.69m/s^2 % 8.93m/s^2
0.47s 9.05m/s^2
Lastly, the provided table summarizes the overall
0.49s 8.33m/s^2
average and overall error for three different drop
0.51s 9.69m/s^2 heights. The overall average is calculated by
adding the average gravity values for 75 cm, 100
0.46s 9.45m/s^2 cm, and 125 cm, and then dividing by 3, resulting
in 8.80 m/s^2. The overall error is determined
ERROR:10.3 AVE:
0% 8.8m/s^2 using the formula (TV - AV) / AV, substituting
(9.81 - 8.80) / 9.81, which equals 10.30%.

The provided table displays the outcomes from the

Table 4.
final trial of the uniformly acceleration motion
experiment, conducted with a drop height of 125
Length Gravity Error
cm. The recorded times in the table indicate the
5
 ENPHYS1L – Uniformly Accelerated Motion

uncertainty interval percentage measurement of

75 cm 8.66m/s^2 11.72%
0%. It is obvious that average acceleration
100 cm 8.8m/s^2 10.30% decreases with the increase of track length. In
this research, the acceleration due to gravity was
125 cm 8.93m/s^2 8.97%
not constant as demonstrated by fluctuating
Overall Overall measurements for all trials. This could be
Average: Error: because of differences in the experimental
8.80m/s^2 10.30% procedures or external effects like that due to
rotation and gravitational pull of other objects
on Earth. These factors could also be controlled
in further research to have more precise results.
Finally, the results of this study conclude that
2.4 Equations and Mathematics
the length of a track does influence an object in
uniformly accelerated motion. But the high
2ℎ
𝑔= 2 (1) margin of error and possible reasons for errors
𝑇
show that perhaps these results cannot be
entirely reliable. So, the issue seems to require
𝑇𝑉−𝐴𝑉
𝐸 = || 𝑇𝑉 || 𝑥 100% (2) additional research based on more precise
measurements and controlled external factors in
3 Results and Discussion order for these findings to be confirmed.

In conclusion, this research intended to discover

In this research, the researcher is interested in
investigating and finding out what impact length
has on acceleration within an object that is moving
uniformly towards earth or any other surface. The
collected data involved the track length (and
computed acceleration (meters per second
squared).
The data was collected for three different
lengths: 75cm, 100cm, and 125cm. Table 1: #
Table 1 Length = 75 cm Length=Length/m
Gravity=f g nm2 / s2 0.41 8.91 0.44| 7. The
table below shows the results for length = from
the data displayed in Table 1, it is evident that
an average acceleration of 8.66 m/s2 was
arrived at for a length of 75cm accompanied by
an error margin of 11.72%. Postulates assume
that the real acceleration could be 11.72% above
or below the recorded value. Likewise, if the
length were 100cm (Table 2), the standard
deviation for acceleration was observed to be a
value of 8.8m/s^2 with an error range of % to
10.30%.
Finally, for a distance of 125cm (Table 3), the
mean acceleration was 8.93m /s^n with an
the relationship between distance and time of
acceleration in uniformly accelerated motion. The
results indicated that with an increase in the length
of track, average acceleration was reduced.
Meanwhile, a high margin of error in the study
along with various sources of potential errors
indicate that these results might not be completely
reliable. To confirm these findings, it is essential to
be able to conduct more precise measurements and
secure control of the external factors.
Understanding how uniformly accelerated motion
works is a fundamental principle in many
disciplines, such as physics and engineering.
Further research could provide the way for new
discoveries and breakthroughs.
4 Conclusion and Recommendation
This research provides valuable
insights into the relationship between distance
and time in uniformly accelerated motion
within a vertical pendulum setting. The study,
conducted with ten trials at three different
6
 ENPHYS1L – Uniformly Accelerated Motion

heights (75cm, 100cm, and 125cm),

demonstrated a consistent pattern: as the
Appendix: Sample calculations
length of the pendulum increased, the average
acceleration decreased. The overall average 2ℎ
acceleration values for each height (8.66m/s², 𝑔= 2
𝑇
8.8m/s², and 8.93m/s²) align with the
expectations of uniformly accelerated motion. 2(0.75)
𝑔= 2
0.41

Despite the reliability of the observed 2

𝑔 = 8. 91𝑚/𝑠
trend, it is essential to acknowledge the
potential sources of error, including external
g = Gravity (m/s^2)
factors like Earth's rotation and gravitational
pull. Future research could explore ways to
h = Height(cm)
further minimize these influences and enhance
the precision of measurements.
T = Time(s)
In conclusion, this study successfully
𝑇𝑉−𝐴𝑉
establishes a link between pendulum length 𝐸 = || 𝑇𝑉 || 𝑥 100%
and acceleration, providing a reliable
foundation for understanding uniformly | 9.81𝑚/𝑠2−8.66𝑚/𝑠2 |
accelerated motion in a vertical setting. The 𝐸 = | | 𝑥 100%
| 9.81𝑚/𝑠
2
|
consistent results contribute to the body of
knowledge in physics and engineering, 𝐸 = 11. 72%
offering insights that may have applications in
various disciplines. E = Error

TV = Theoretical Value

AV = Actual Value

References

Zeliha Korpinar, Mustafa Inc, Talat Korpinar,

Majid Hussain, Dumitru Baleanu, Bandar
Almohsen, New quasi uniformly accelerated
motion with hidden quasi momentum, Journal
of Ocean Engineering and Science, 2022,
ISSN 2468-0133,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joes.2022.03.024.