Date: 15/05/24

Week:9
Student ID: s11227291
Partners name: Faith Lewgor

Experiment 2 : The Compound Pendulum

Aim: To investigate the behaviour of a compound pendulum and use the data retrieved to
calculate the values of “g” and “k” (the radius of gyration)

Apparatus used:

• A metal bar of length 1 meter, with holes drilled at equal intervals.

• A Knife edge support of the bar, which will be used as the axes of rotation.
• 1 stopwatch
• A meter rule,
• Electronic weight balance
• Vernier caliper.

Theory:

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate a compound pendulum's motion and
ascertain its oscillation period. A mass was fastened to the end of a stiff rod that made up
the compound pendulum. The length of the rod was changed in order to examine the
oscillation period. The compound pendulum period formula was used to compare the
experimental results to theoretical expectations. The relationship between the oscillation
period and the pendulum's length was confirmed by the experiment's consistent results
with theoretical predictions. (Vedantu, 15/05/24). In a case where the amplitude of
oscillation is small, it can be represented by the mathematical expression:

𝑘2 + ℎ2
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔ℎ

where T is the period of oscillation

k is the radius of gyration with respect to the centre of the mass. h the distance from the
centre of mass to the axis of rotation
g acceleration of gravity (ph102 lab manual)
The distance k from the axis is the radius of gyration of a mass M about a certain axis. A
point mass is considered to be an analogous mass at this distance, k. This Point Mass's
moment of inertia with respect to the initial axis remains unaltered. The body's moment of
inertia is given as:

𝐼 = 𝑀𝐾 2

Methodology

As per lab manual pg 6,7

Results

Fig1

h (m) time 1 (s) time 2 (s) time3 (s) average T(s)

0.484 48.64 48.65 48.57 48.62 1.62066667
0.434 47.84 47.25 47.4 47.4966667 1.58322222
0.384 46.66 46.66 46.84 46.72 1.55733333
0.334 46.25 46.31 46.31 46.29 1.543
0.284 46.25 46.16 45.84 46.0833333 1.53611111
0.234 46.87 46.69 46.97 46.8433333 1.56144444
0.183 48.12 48.34 48.31 48.2566667 1.60855556
0.134 52.9 53.38 53.44 53.24 1.77466667

Fig2
 H(m) T(s) (T)^2 (s) (T)^2 H (s^2m) (H)^2 (m^2)
0.484 1.62066667 2.62656044 1.27125526 0.234256
0.434 1.58322222 2.50659261 1.08786119 0.188356
0.384 1.55733333 2.42528711 0.93131025 0.147456
0.334 1.543 2.380849 0.79520357 0.111556
0.284 1.53611111 2.35963734 0.67013701 0.080656
0.234 1.56144444 2.43810875 0.57051745 0.054756
0.183 1.60855556 2.58745098 0.47350353 0.033489
0.134 1.77466667 3.14944178 0.4220252 0.017956

Fig 1 and 2 are tables of raw data

Graphs

FIG 3

T vs H
1.8

1.75

1.7

1.65
T

1.6

1.55

1.5
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
H
FIG 4

T^2H vs H^2
1.6
1.4
1.2 y = 3.7806x + 0.3545

1
T^2H

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
H^2

Analysis

Mass of pendulum: 0.873kg  0.001

Length of pendulum: 1.106m  0.001
Width: 0.025m 0.001

1. Moment of inertia of bar:

𝐿2 +𝑊 2
I= M ( )
12
 (1.1060.001)2+(0.0250.001)2
I= 0.873 0.001( )
12

I= 75.21 × 10−3 ±0.002𝑘𝑔𝑚2

2.)I=MK2
Rearranging that formula to make k the subject
𝐼
𝐾=√
𝑀
75.21 × 10−3 ± 0.002=(0.873±0.001)k2
K2=75.21 × 10−3 /0.873
K2= √86.15 × 10−3 ± 0.001
K= 0.29±0.01𝑚

3.) Experimental value of “g”

4𝜋 2 2 4𝜋 2 𝑘 2
𝑇 2𝐻 = ( )ℎ + ( )
𝑔 𝑔

This equation is in the form of y=mx+c.

M is derived from the slope of fig4 .

4𝜋 2
𝑀=( )
𝑔

This equation can be rearranged to make g the subject of the formula:

4𝜋 2
𝐺=( )
𝑀

4𝜋2
= g = (3.7806)

= 10.44±0.01𝑔/𝑚𝑠

4.) The theoretical value for k is 0.29±0.01𝑚 and the experimental value is obtained from
the y intercept of fig 4 and used in the equation:

4𝜋 2 𝑘 2
𝐶=
𝑔

4𝜋 2 𝑘 2
0.35 =
10.442
 3.655 = 4𝜋 2 𝑘 2

3.655
2
= 𝐾2
4𝜋

𝐾 = √0.09258
K(Experimental)= 0.3040.001m

5.) percentage error for g and k is equated by:

𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
10.442−9.8
%error for g = × 100
9.8

%error for g = 6.55% 0.01

0.304−0.29
%error for k = × 100
0.29

%error for k = 4.83%0.01

Discussion
When comparing the findings to the theory of this experiment, it can be deduced
that the aim was achieved as both g and k were found upon investigating the
behaviour of a compound pendulum.
Furthermore, to evaluate the experiment's correctness, the calculated moment of
inertia (I) values can be compared to theoretical predictions. Any differences
between the theoretical and experimental values could be explained by
measurement mistakes, air resistance, frictional forces, or other experimental
errors. The percentage errors for g and k are relatively low therefore indicating
that the data gathered and the calculations executed are correct with some minor
discrepanices. The values gathered are: g(theoretical)=9.8,
g(experimental)=10.44, k(theoretical)=0.29, k(experimental)=0.304.

Conclusion
The experiment effectively examined a compound pendulum's motion and verified the
connection between the oscillation's length and period. The results validated the formula
for the period of a compound pendulum because they were in line with theoretical
assumptions. Additional improvements to the experimental design may reduce error
sources and boost the precision of the findings. Furthermore, the percentage errors are
6.55% for g and 4.83% for k.
Bibliography
Vedantu, 15/05/24. What is princple of a compound pendulum. [Online]
Available at: https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/principle-of-compound-
pendulum-class-11-physics-cbse-60d6d8ab058f881a44067dea
[Accessed 15 05 2024].
Vidyapeetham, A. V., 2020. [Online]
Available at: https://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=1&brch=280&sim=210&cnt=2