PHYSICS LAB REPORT

May10

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to study oscillations of a
compound pendulum and use it to calculate the value of g.

APPARATUS
The equipment used in the experiment is:
Compound pendulum
Support
Sharp wedge
Stop watch
Spirit level

THEORY
In this experiment we took a pendulum and determined its center
of gravity G by balancing it on the wedge. Then we suspended
the pendulum on a support. After this we slightly displaced the
pendulum from its mean position through a small angle and
released it so that it could vibrate. We measured the time of 10
vibrations and distance from center of gravity to the hole i-e the
axis about which the pendulum vibrated.
After this we shifted to second hole and repeated the same
procedure. Then we calculated the time period T for each hole.
Then we plotted a graph between T and G taking T on y axis
and L on x axis.
After this we drew a line ABCDE parallel to the x axis but not near
the bend of curve. From this we calculated the length of
pendulum i-e
2
L= l+ k /l = AD or BE.
From this we calculated the value of g using the formula

Where T represents the time period.

Then we drew another line ABCDE and calculated another
value of g. After the we determined the mass of pendulum and
also form these values of k we mesured the moment of inertia.
Length of pendulum was calculated by this formula:

Value of g was determined as:

Moment of inertia was calculated by:

PROCEDURE
Balance the pendulum on the wedge, with knife-edges at the
extreme holes on both sides,and mark the position of its
centre of gravity at G.
Level the support and suspend the _pendulum on it. Draw a
vertical line with a chalk along the holes of the pendulum or
paste a thin white strip of paper but not covering its holes.
Focus the eye-piece of the telescope till the cross-wires
are'distinctly visible. Now focus the telescope on the

pendulum from a distance of about 3 metres such that the

vertical cross-wire coincides with the line on the pendulum.
Displace the pendulum slightly (not more than 5) and
release it to vibrate.
Note the time for 50 vibrations and also measure the length
from G up .to the bottom of the first hole i.e., upto the axis
about which the pendulum vibrates.
Now shift the upper and lower knife-edges to the 2nd hole on
both sides to keep the
C.F. in its initial position and find out the time for 50
vibrations. Measure the distance form G to the bottom of the
second hole.
Repeat the process to note the time of 50 vibrations for each
hole on both sides leaving one or two holes near G. Also
measure the corresponding distances form G in every case.

Precautions
The support should be horizontal and knife-edges should be
sharp (Not broken or damaged).
Amplitude of vibration should be kept small.
Both knife-edges should be shifted to the corresponding
holes for each observation to keep the position of C.G
unchanged.
Distances should always be measured from the C.G. to the
lower edge of each hole.
Times sliquld be noted with the help of a good stop watch.
A vibration should be counted wherever the reference line on
the pendulum crosses the vertical cross-wire of the
telescope.
Take suitable and large scales and draw smooth and
symmetrical curves on the graph.

Data Analysis
Readings of l and T:
l (cm)
49.1
44.3
39
34.2
27.3
22.4
19
14
7.6
3

T (s)
1.85
1.65
1.54
1.46
1.42
1.5
1.59
1.72
1.97
2.74

l (cm)
-47.3
-42.4
-37.9
-32.2
-27.1
-21.9
-17.1
-11.9
-6.6
-1.9

T (s)
1.82
1.59
1.5
1.43
1.49
1.55
1.68
1.9
2.45
3.2

Length of pendulum L =101 cm

Centre of gravity C.G = 49.6 cm

3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-60

-40

-20

At T = 1.50 s
l1 = 39.0 cm
l2 = 21.9 cm

L= l1 + l2
L=60.9 cm

g=4

error =

L
2
=1068.5 cm/s
2
T

1068.5980
100=8.28
1068.5

20

40

60

Conclusion
The error we encountered in this experiment was that the
pendulum moved sideways as well (while moving to and fro). Also
the whole apparatus was also unstable. Another limitation was
friction which cannot be obviously ignored. Furthermore there is
always human reaction error in starting and stopping the
stopwatch so the same person who started the oscillations was
used for the stopwatch timing as it can greatly reduce the margin
of error. Our experiment went quite well with only 8.28% error.