Oscillation Of A Pendulum Experiment

Introduction

The purpose of this experiment was to understand how different variables can affect the period of oscillation of a pendulum.

Aim:

To determine the acceleration due to gravity, by varying the length of an inelastic string and measuring its corresponding period of time for each experiment.

Apparatus used Retort stand Clamp Stop watch Pendulum bob Ruler Counter weight Rigid support Inelastic string Vernier caliper

Theory According to Crundell (2001, p231) Simple harmonic motion is defined as the motion of a particle about a fixed point such that its acceleration a is proportional to its displacement x from a fixed point, and is directed towards the fixed point. There are many ways in which we can observe the special kind of oscillations

Newton’s third law of motion: newton’s third law of motion states that action and reaction are equal and opposite.

Principles

A simple pendulum experiment consists of a bob, suspended from a string that does not stretch. The bob is so heavy compared to that the weight of the string can be disregarded. When the string is tied to the retort stand, the bob will hang straight down. If the bob is pulled out so that the string makes a small angle with the vertical and then released the pendulum will swing back and forth, executing simple harmonic motion. The bob will retrace its path at regular intervals and the time it takes the pendulum to go through one complete cycle, or swing, is called a