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Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

The Simple Pendulum

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Contents
Part I: Objective
Part II: Introduction
The Simple Pendulum
Part III: Apparatus and Setup
The Pendulum Clamp
The Photogate
Using LoggerPro

Part IV: Mass Dependence


Expectation
Data Collection and Analysis
Part V: Length Dependence
Expectations
Data Collection
Plotting Your Data
Analysis
Part VI: Summary

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part I: Objective

In this experiment, you will determine how the period of a


simple pendulum depends on the mass of the pendulum.
You will also determine how the period of the pendulum
depends on the length of the pendulum.
You will be designing your own experiment based on the
information in the following slides.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part II: Introduction


The Simple Pendulum
In this experiment you will investigate the motion
of a simple pendulum.
The simple pendulum is a system consisting of a
string of length L, which is assumed to be
massless and unstretchable, and a particle of
mass m attached to the string called the pendulum
bob.

y
FT

When the mass is displaced a small angle from


equilibrium and then released, the pendulum will
undergo simple harmonic motion.
This treatment is valid for angles less than 10
and all experiments should be conducted with this
small angle.

Fg=

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part II: Introduction


The Simple Pendulum
The forces acting on the bob are the tension in
the string FT and the gravitational force Fg.
When the pendulum is displaced and released,
the tangential component of Fg produces a
restoring force, which always acts in the
direction opposite to the displacement of the
pendulum. The resultant motion is oscillatory
with the pendulum exhibiting simple harmonic
motion.

y
FT

We may analyze the restoring force and


resulting motion to determine the period of a
simple pendulum

L
T = 2
g

Fg=

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part III: Apparatus and Setup


Apparatus
You have been provided with

A pendulum clamp
String
Metre stick
Mass set
Support rod
Photogate
Stopwatch

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part III: Apparatus and Setup


The Pendulum Clamp
The pendulum clamp may be
attached to a support rod.
To make a pendulum, hang a
string from any of the three
suspension points.
The string may be shortened
by looping the string about
the suspension points.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part III: Apparatus and Setup


The Photogate
The photogate emits a beam of infrared light
from one side which is received by a sensor
on the other side.
With the software, data is collected by
recording the times when the infrared light
beam between the jaws of the photogate is
interrupted.
To time a pendulum using the photogate and
LoggerPro, the pendulum is allowed to swing
between the jaws of the photogate. The
period is then plotted as a function of time on
LoggerPro.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Lab Report

Lab Report 1:

Write the objective of your experiment.

Lab Report 2:

Write the relevant theory of this experiment.

Lab Report 3:

List your apparatus and sketch your setup.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part IV: Mass Dependence


Expectation
Your goal is to determine how the period of the pendulum depends on
the mass of the pendulum.

Lab Report 4:

How do you expect the period of a simple


pendulum to depend on mass? Explain.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part IV: Mass Dependence


Data Collection and Analysis
Using the given apparatus, test
your hypothesis.
The pendulum clamp can support
masses up to 250 g.
The length of the pendulum is
defined as the distance from the
top of the string to the middle of
the mass.
Clustering the masses on the loop
will keep the pendulum length
approximately constant.
A stopwatch is recommended for
this portion of the experiment.
Your masses should range from
50 g to 250 g.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part IV: Mass Dependence


Data Collection and Analysis
Use a table to record your results.
Lab Report 5:

Describe your method to determine how the


period of a simple pendulum depends on its
mass.

Lab Report 6:

Discuss your results of how the period of a


simple pendulum depends on its mass.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part V: Length Dependence


Expectations
Your goal is to predict and then test how the period of the pendulum
depends on the length of the pendulum.

Lab Report 7:

How do you expect the period of a simple


pendulum to depend on length? Explain.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part V: Length Dependence


Data Collection
Using the given apparatus, test your
hypothesis.
Typically, the length of the pendulum is
defined as the distance between the top of the
string and the middle of the mass.
We recommend the use of the photogate and
LoggerPro for this portion of the experiment.
For reliable results, you will need a minimum
of 5 data points spanning the entire length of
the string (minimum range of 60.0 cm).

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part III: Apparatus and Setup


Using LoggerPro
Plug the photogate into Dig/Sonic 1 of the LabPro.
Make sure the LabPro is connected to the computer and plugged in.
Click here to launch LoggerPro.
Test that the photogate is working by moving your hand in and out of the gate.
The gate status displayed directly above your graph should change between
blocked and unblocked as you move your hand.
LoggerPro is now ready to collect data.
You may begin the collection by clicking Collect.
When you take data, LoggerPro will calculate the period of the motion by timing when
the pendulum passes through the sensor (similar to your measurement with the
stopwatch).

A graph of period as a function of time for each oscillation will be displayed.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part V: Length Dependence


Data Collection
You may find the average period by clicking
Analyze then Statistics.

Use a table to record your results.


Lab Report 8: Describe your method of collecting

data for determining how the period


of a simple pendulum depends on
its length.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part V: Length Dependence


Plotting Your Data
Click here to open Graphical Analysis.

Plot an appropriate graph to be used to find the acceleration due to


gravity.
HINT: A linear graph is the easiest to analyze. Examine the equation
relating period and length and rearrange it to find a linear relationship.
Plot the appropriate variables.
Have an instructor come check your graph and initial your report.
Format: Include a title and axes labels. Turn off connecting lines.
Print your graph and include it with your lab report.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part V: Length Dependence


Analysis
To obtain a linear fit to your data, click Analyze then Linear Fit.
To find the uncertainties in the slope and intercept, double click on the box
that appears and check Show Uncertainty.

Lab Report 9:

Use the results from your graph to determine the


acceleration due to gravity. Show your workings.
Compare your result with the accepted value of 9.81
m/s2. Comment on the agreement.

Having trouble?
Click here to open your notes from the graphing workshop.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Part V: Summary

Lab Report 10:

Outline briefly the steps of your experiment.

Lab Report 11:

List your experimental results and comment on


how they agreed with the expected results.

Lab Report 12: List at least three sources of experimental


uncertainty and classify them as random or
systematic.

Physics 1051 Laboratory #2

The Simple Pendulum

Wrap it up!

Check that you have completed your Lab Report.

Be sure to include your printed graph.

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