Data Tables

Period Times for trials of original string length (0.38 m)

AVG

1.24
1.41
1.32
1.18
1.22
1.17
1.30
1.24
1.22
1.06
1.25
1.36
1.29
1.32
1.27
0.92
1.19
1.20
1.25
1.42
1.34
1.24
1.22
1.43
1.32
AVG
1.09
1.28
1.02
1.25
1.41
1.25

Period Times for trials of

unknown string length

1.06
1.21
0.99
1.18
1.13
0.85
1.02
1.11
1.17
1.10
1.08

Calculations
To determine average Period of original string length
T(AVG) = T/n
Where: T(AVG)= Average Period
T = Sum of all Periods
n= number of trials
T(AVG) = T/n
T(AVG) =37.43/30
T(AVG) = 1.247666
T(AVG) = 1.25
To determine average Period time of unknown string length
T(AVG) = T/n
Where: T(AVG)= Average Period
T = Sum of all Periods
n= number of trials
T(AVG) = T/n
T(AVG) =10.82/10
T(AVG) = 1.082
T(AVG) = 1.08
To determine observed gravity in Room
G=4^2L/T^2
Where: G= observed gravity (meters per second^2)
L= Length of string (meters)
T= Period time (seconds)
G=4^2L/T^2
G=4^2(0.38)/(1.25)^2
G=15.001799/1.5625
G=9.60115136
G=9.6m/s^2

To determine unknown string length

L=T^2G/4^2
Where: L= string length (meters)
T= Period time (seconds)
G= observed gravity (meters per second^2)
L=T^2G/4^2
L=(1.08^2)(9.8)/39.4784176
L=0.2895
L=0.29 m
To determine range of gravity
Range= G(Actual) +/- 5%
Where= G(Actual)= Actual gravity (9.80 m/s^2)
Range= G(Actual) +/- 5%
Range= 9.80 +/- 0.49
Range= 9.31 to 10.29
To determine absolute error of gravity
Ea= |O-A|
Where: Ea = Absolute Error
O= Observed gravity value
A= Actual gravity value
Ea= |O-A|
Ea= |9.6 9.8|
Ea=0.2
To determine relative error of Gravity
Er = Ea/A x 100%
Where: Er=Relative error
Ea=Absolute error value
A= Actual Gravity
Er = Ea/A x 100%
Er = 0.2/9.8 x 100%
Er= 2%

To determine range of string length

Range= L(Actual) +/- 5%

Where= L(Actual)= Actual string Length (0.26 cm)
Range= L(Actual) +/- 5%
Range= 0.26 +/- 0.013
Range= 0.247 to 0.273
To determine absolute error of string length
Ea= |O-A|
Where: Ea = Absolute Error
O= Observed string length
A= Actual string length value
Ea= |O-A|
Ea= |0.29 0.26|
Ea=0.03
To determine relative error of string length
Er = Ea/A x 100%
Where: Er=Relative error
Ea=Absolute error value
A= Actual string length
Er = Ea/A x 100%
Er = 0.03/0.26 x 100%
Er= 11.5%

Analyses

Based on the trials performed during this lab, gravity in the room
was determined to be 9.6 m/s^2 rather than its actual value of 9.8
m/s^2. This meant that the observed value was approximately 2% off
from the actual value; this falls within the range of error and thus can
be considered fairly successful. During the second part of the where
the unknown length of the string of the pendulum was calculated, a
value of 0.29 meters was found. The actual value, after measurement,
was found to be 0.26 meters. This puts the observed value at 11.5%
out side of the actual thus meaning it does not fall within the range.
This means that sources of error most likely over took the trials and let
to an unreliable result.
Sources of error most likely came from human error. Such things
as starting or stopping the stopwatch at the incorrect time, releasing
the pendulum to soon or to early or not pulling the ball back to the
exact location for each trial. It could also be the fault of the lack of
trials. Only doing ten trials allows for a few freak trials to greatly affect
the overall average, more trials would in turn reduce this and give a
more balanced and accurate final result.