Name:__Shane Razak____ Skill:MM A&I ORR P&D

Title: Simple pendulum Date: _17/10/2023_________

Aim: to investigate how the period of a swing is affected by the length of the pendulum

Introduction:

A simple pendulum is a bob attached to a string and is free to swing. The period is the time
taken for the bob to make one complete swing or oscillation. The period T can be calculated
L
using the formula, T=2π√ , where L is length of the pendulum and g is the gravitational
g
acceleration. The period of a pendulum is not affected by the mass of the bob and the
amplitude. It is only affected by its length.

Apparatus/ materials: PHET online simulation

(https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/pendulum-lab/latest/pendulum-lab_en.html)
Procedure

1.Set up the pendulum apparatus with the length, L, of the pendulum at 80 cm (0.8 m) using the

simulation option

. The apparatus was set up with the length, L , of the pendulum at 80cm(0.8m) using the simulation.

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2.Set the pendulum oscillating with small amplitude but in one plane.

The pendulum was set to oscillate with a small amplitude in one plane. _________________

3. Time the swing (t1) for twenty (20) complete oscillations using the stopwatch on the simulation

__ The swing for 20 oscillations was timed using the stopwatch on the simulation.

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4. Repeat timing (t2) to ensure accuracy.

__The timing was repeated to ensure accuracy.________________________________________

5. Calculate the time or period (T) for one complete swing using the formula given.

__The time period for one swing was calculated using the formula given________________________

6. Repeat the countdown and timing by changing the length of the pendulum, varying the length
between l =10.0 cm and 80.0 cm. Ensure that your readings are spread over the entire range.

The countdown was repeated with the length varying from l=10.0 cm to 80.0cm.

7.Record your results in a suitable table.

_The results were recorded in a suitable table._________________________________________

8. Calculate the values for T and plot a graph to show the relationship between period (T) against
length (L) of the pendulum

__The values for T were calculated and a graph of Period(T) against Length(L) of pendulum was
plotted____
Diagram:

Results:

Title of table ___________________________________________________________

Length Time (s) for Time (s) for Average time (t) Time for one
(L) of 20 swings (s) 20 swings (s) t1+t2 / 2 (s) oscillation (Period)
pendulum (t1) (t2) T= t/20(s)
(cm)

80 35.30 35.67 35.48 1.77

70 33.54 33.66 33.57 1.67

60 31.03 31.11 31.07 1.55

50 28.41 28.32 28.36 1.41

 40 25.49 25.53 25.51 1.27

30 22.06 22.15 22.10 1.10

20 17.72 17.96 17.84 0.89

10 12.76 12.65 12.70 0.63

Discussion:

How does the length (L) of the pendulum affect the period of the swing T?

_Length affects the period of the swing because the bob has to travel a greater distance,
therefore making the period longer. When the length of the pendulum increases the period also
increases.________________________________________________________________

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The mechanisms of some clocks are controlled by the use of a simple pendulum. From

your graph, what length (L) gives a period of one second?

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Source of errors/ limitations

Human error when counting the oscillations_

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Precautions

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Conclusion

It was concluded that the length of a the pendulum affects the period of the pendulum

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References:

1.

2.