Investigating the Oscillations of a Pendulum

Investigating the Oscillations of a Pendulum

Aim: -

To investigate the oscillations of a simple pendulum and find the

value of ‘g’, acceleration due to gravity, in the laboratory.

Apparatus: -

Retort stand with clamp

Pendulum bob

Piece of thread (≈ 110 cm) Stop watch

Two small wooden blocks metre

rule

Hypothesis and Theory:-

In this experiment the set up below is arranged. This is a simple

pendulum system which is a simple harmonic motion. In the figure below

consider a small mass m attached to the end of a length l of wire. The

other end is attached to a fixed point P and the mass oscillates along

the arc. Suppose the mass during the motion at a point B at an

instant, such that OB = y (displacement) and the angle at that moment

is θ to PO. The downward force by the mass is mg so towards O it will

be horizontal component, that is, mg sin θ. The tension T by the

thread is balanced by the vertical component of the force by the bob.

So the only force acting is mg sin θ. Since Force= mass ×

acceleration.

-mg sin θ = ma,

The negative sign indicates that it the direction is towards O.

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