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Phy400 Experiment 2

This document describes an experiment to determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) using a simple pendulum. A pendulum with varying lengths is swung, and the time period for 8 oscillations is measured using a stopwatch. The measured time periods are then used in the equation relating pendulum length and time period to calculate g and compare to the accepted value of 9.81 m/s2. Potential improvements discussed are taking measurements over more oscillations and using more precise timing equipment.

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Aida Syasya
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57 views3 pages

Phy400 Experiment 2

This document describes an experiment to determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) using a simple pendulum. A pendulum with varying lengths is swung, and the time period for 8 oscillations is measured using a stopwatch. The measured time periods are then used in the equation relating pendulum length and time period to calculate g and compare to the accepted value of 9.81 m/s2. Potential improvements discussed are taking measurements over more oscillations and using more precise timing equipment.

Uploaded by

Aida Syasya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPERIMENT 2: Acceleration due to gravity, g.

OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the acceleration due to gravity, g, by means of a simple pendulum.
APPARATUS
1. Stopwatch
2. Meter rule
3. A retord stand
4. Clamp
5. String
6. Pendulum bob

INTRODUCTION
In this report will show on how to find the acceleration of gravity, g by using a simple
pendulum experiment. There are many variables such as angle, mass of pendulum bob and
more. However, the variable that we will use is the length of the swinging pendulum. The
relationship between the length of swinging pendulum and the time for 8 swing has been
research for many years to get an accurate value of g which is 9.81 m/s 2. In this experiment
will replicate the experiment and compare our results with the actual value of g.

The standard acceleration due to gravity of earth at sea level is currently at 9.806650
m/s2.There are few ways to determine or measure the gravitational acceleration but the
two most common ways are:

1. Timing the freefall of an object going through certain measured distance and calculate g
by equation.
2. Timing the period of pendulum for different length and calculate using formula.

A simple pendulum will perform a harmony swing motion or a periodic motion that
proportional to its displacement and direction towards the center of motion. This equation
shows that period T of the swinging pendulum is proportional to the square root of the
length L of the pendulum.

T = 2π√(L/g)

PROCEDURES
1. A string about 70 cm long was attached to the clamp that tie to the retord stand.
2. The angle to release the pendulum was measured which is 45 degrees.
3. The pendulum ball was released from an angle of 45 degrees and the time was
recorded using stop watch after the pendulum required the number of oscillations
which is every 8 oscillations.
4. Step 3 was repeated three times to get the average of time.
5. The steps are repeated by using different of pendulum lengths which is 60 cm to 30 cm.
Post Lab Questions
1.Do you think the percentage difference between g experiment a g standard is acceptable in
this experiment?
Yes, the percentage difference between g experiment and g standard is acceptable because
g standard = 9.81 ms-2
g experiment =
percentage = (g standard – g experiment) / g standard x 100
(masukkan nilai pastu kira2)
percentage difference = acceptable
2.Do you think the experiment to determined g by using a pendulum can be improved?
Describe the improvement.
Yes. To improve the experiment is by measuring the time for 10 swings instead of 8 swings
that would reduce the uncertainty in time. Use more precise measurement (Stopwatch) to
obtain more accurate value.
3.Can you think of any way to determine g?
Do experiment by timing the freefall of an object going through a certain distance and
calculate the g by using the equation.

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