Physics 15200 Laboratory

Motion of a Simple Pendulum

Laboratory #7
Motion of a Simple Pendulum
Objective
The simple pendulum is a device with a long history, and which has been studied in great detail along
with its many, more complicated relatives (conical pendulum, spherical pendulum, etc.). This
laboratory experiment focuses attention on the connection between the pendulum and its oscillatory
characteristics, such as its period of oscillation. The primary objective of this laboratory experiment is
to verify the theoretical relation between a simple pendulum's period (P) for small oscillations and its
length (L) from the axis of rotation to the pendulum bob of mass (m). Further, the theory predicts that
there will be no correlation between the period and the mass of the pendulum bob.
Introduction
The simple pendulum is described in the diagram below.

g
I'm Bob
m

The equation of motion for the pendulum bob is most easily written in terms of the angular variable,,
2
2
and its time derivatives, and , which are d / dt and d /dt , respectively. This can be written as

m L = m g sin ,
or, for small angles where sin ,

d2 g
+ =0,
L
dt 2
where has been replaced by its second-order derivative notation. You can see that the mass is no
longer a variable in the equation of motion. The solution for the angular position, (t), of the bob is

(t ) = o cos( t+) ,

Physics 15200 Laboratory

Motion of a Simple Pendulum

where is just a constant to match the right value of the cosine term with the initial conditions at t = 0,
and o is the maximum angle of oscillation. Finally, the angular frequency, , is defined such that

g
.
L

This relationship between the angular frequency and the length of the string on the pendulum is clearly
independent of mass. It states that 1/ L , so that the longer the pendulum, the lower the
angular frequency (i.e. the slower the pendulum oscillates). We can connect this to the period of the
pendulum through the definition for the period (P) and the pendulum frequency (f), which is measured
in cycles per unit time (e.g. Hertz, or Hz, are units cycles per second). So,

P=

1
2
=
,
f

or

P = 2

L
.
g

Experimental Procedure
In this lab experiment, you are asked to measure the period of oscillation, using a stopwatch. You will
measure the period five (5) times for each case of varied parameters m, L, and o. For each value of
L, you should measure the period for each case of o, using the 2-inch steel bob. For one case of o,
you are asked to measure again, with the 2-inch brass bob, and then with the 2-inch lead bob. You
can, and should, measure the mass of each bob using the digital balance in the front of the lab. Be
gentle with the balance, and make sure to follow the instructions your lab instructor has provided on
how to zero the balance, and how to read it.
It is important that you only change the length between sets of measurements for the other variables,
so that you don't have to go back to a length you tested earlier, as it may be difficult to get exactly the
right length again. Also, your measurements will go a lot faster if you minimize the time needed to
adjust the length of the string.
To measure the period, allow the pendulum to complete several complete cycles (e.g. backand-forth is one cycle), and time the entire set of cycles observed. Then divide your time by
the number of cycles you timed to find the average period of one cycle. Note that friction will
begin to slow the pendulum down. So, only time a few cycles (maybe 3 5) for each trial. Use
the same number of cycles for all your timing measurements, once you've established how
many you wish to use. You should report the number of cycles you timed, but you only need
to tabulate the single-cycle period in your data tables.
1. Test the cases of three lengths: 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm.
2. Test each length with initial angles (o) of 10, 20, and 30, using the 2-inch steel bob.
3. Test the case of 10 again with the 2-inch brass bob, and then the 2-inch lead bob.

Physics 15200 Laboratory

Motion of a Simple Pendulum

4. Make data tables for all of your cases in Excel, or your favorite spreadsheet program. For
each set of trials (5 trials for every case), you should calculate an average and a standard
deviation.
5. Make the following plots, using the average values you determined in your spreadsheet:
a) Plot measured period versus L . Do this for all three values of o on your plot, so you
can compare the resulting curves.
b) Add a linear trendline to each of your sets of data (one set for each o), making sure to
include the equation for the line on the plot. To do this, right-click on each set of data, and
select Add Trendline, making sure to select linear and show equation on plot in the
dialog box which pops up.
c) In your analysis, discuss whether the best-fit trendlines are similar, or if you see a trend in
the resulting slopes. Also, compare the slopes for each to the remaining constants in the
formula for the theoretical period: e.g. slopes should equal 2 / sqrt(981. cm/s2),
assuming that you're using your length measurements in centimeters.
d) What can you say about the period you measured for the cases of increasing initial angle?
Does the theoretical solution for small oscillations hold, and if so how well? If not, how
badly does it seem to be wrong?
6. Repeat the procedure you did in (5) for the three cases of different masses, all starting from
o = 10.
a) How do the best-fit trendlines compare for the three different masses over the range of
pendulum lengths?
b) For each bob mass, calculate the percent deviation of the measured period from the
theoretical period, which equals 2 sqrt(L / 981. cm/s2). In your lab report discussion,
address the question of whether there is a noticeable difference between these values for
the different bob masses. If you see a difference, to what do you attribute it?
7. As you should always do, consider your sources of error, and variables you couldn't control in
the experiment. At least mention what some of these are in your lab report. It is most useful to
do this in the places where you report data that would be affected by these errors, but you
should certainly mention the impact of these error sources in your final summary of your
results.