S26
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
NAME: ABU HUZAIFAH BIN MOHD HELMI
STUDENT ID: 2020883294
NAME: RAJA ABDUL AZIZ BIN RAJA ABD LATIF
STUDENT ID: 2020851918
DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 25 AUGUST 2020
LAB INSTRUCTOR: MADAM AISYAH BINTI JOHARI
ABSTRACT
The simple harmonic motion of a spring-mass system generally exhibits a behaviour
strongly influenced by the geometric parameters of the spring. In this experiment, we
investigate the relationship between lengths of the pendulum to the period of motion
in simple harmonic motion. We aim to determine the value of gravitational
acceleration by using a simple pendulum. In this experiment, we measured g by
measuring the period of a pendulum of a known length. We measured
g=9.803±0.5m/s2 . This correspond to a relative difference of 0.031 % with the
accepted value ( 9.8m/s2 ), and our result is consistent with the accepted value.
INTRODUCTION
The motion of Simple Pendulum as Simple Harmonic Motion is occur when we pull a
simple pendulum from its equilibrium position and then release it, it swings in a
vertical plane under the influence of gravity. It begins to oscillate about its mean
position. Therefore, the motion is periodic and oscillatory. Now, if we displace the
pendulum by a very small angle Θ, then it performs the simple harmonic motion.
Consider a simple pendulum having mass ‘m’, length L and displaced by a small angle
Θ with the vertical. Thus, it oscillates about its mean position. In the displaced position,
two forces are acting on the mass,
Gravitational force, which is the weight of the mass – ‘mg’ acting in the
downward direction.
Tension T’ in the string.
Therefore, in this experiment, we will investigate the value of gravitational
acceleration, g by using a simple pendulum.
METHODOLOGY
1. The length, L 0.2m of the thread is measured
2. A mass is tied to the end of the thread
3. The mass is displaced about 10˚ from its equilibrium position
4. The mass is released and let it swing back and forth
5. The total time taken to make 10 complete oscillations is measured
6. Procedures 1 until 5 is repeated by using different length of thread which is 0.4
m,0.6 m, 0.8 m as suggested in Table 1.1
RESULT
L (m) 10 T (s) T (s) T2 (s)
9.43
0.2 9.42 9.36 0.806 0.806
9.23
12.75
0.4 12.74 12.83 1.269 1.610
13.01
15.63
0.6 15.53 15.62 1.555 2.418
15.64
18.00
0.8 17.52 17.38 1.795 3.222
17.98
𝟑.𝟐𝟐𝟐−𝟎.𝟖𝟎𝟔
Gradient, 𝒎 = ( )
𝟎.𝟖𝟎𝟎−𝟎.𝟐𝟎𝟎
𝒎 = 𝟒. 𝟎𝟐𝟕
𝒍
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟒𝝅 +𝟎
𝒈
𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒄
𝟒𝝅𝟐
𝒎=
𝒈
Gravitational acceleration,
𝟒𝝅𝟐
𝒈=
𝒎
𝟒𝝅𝟐
𝒈=
𝟒. 𝟎𝟐𝟕
𝒈 = 𝟗. 𝟖𝟎𝟑𝒎/𝒔2
Percentage error,
𝒗𝑨 − 𝒗𝑬
𝜹=| | × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝒗𝑬
𝟗. 𝟖𝟎𝟑 − 𝟗. 𝟖
𝜹=| | × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝟗. 𝟖
𝜹 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟏%
DISCUSSION
The simple pendulum consist of a mass, m, attached to the end of the string.
The length, L of the simple pendulum is measured from the point of suspension of the
string to the center of the pendulum. The pendulum is moved to the angle of 10°. The
restoring force will return the pendulum back to the equilibrium position. The total
time was measured to make 10 complete oscillations. The force acting on the
pendulum are the force of gravity and the tension force of the string. By using Galileo’s
𝑙
equation, the period of oscillation of a simple pendulum, T is given by (𝑇 = 2𝜋√ )
𝑔
𝑙
and (𝑇 2 = 4𝜋 2 )
𝑔
A graph of T2 (s) versus the length of the simple pendulum 𝑙 (m) resulted in a
straight line in the range of T2 and is consistent. The gradient, m of this line is 4.027.
The intercept for the best fit straight line intersects cuts the origin.
The sources of error in this part of the experiment are due to the human errors
comes in when measuring the period using a stopwatch. The reaction time of the
observer plays a significant error when starting the stopwatch and when stopping it.
This error can be minimized by repeating the experiment many times. By taking
average of three times trials is enough. The friction between the pendulum and the
surrounding air is another source of error. This can be minimized by using a heavier
bob than a lighter bob. The shape of the bob must be spherical to minimize this
friction.
CONCLUSION
Based on the result of our experiment, the value of gravitational acceleration
can be determine by calculate the gradient of the graph. By using Galileo’s equation
and equation of the straight line the gravitational acceleration we got is 9.803m/s 2.
The value 9.803m/s2 is almost similar to the actual gravitational acceleration which is
9.80m/s2. The percentage error below 10% which is 0.031%
Period of the motion plotted against the length of the pendulum gives a
straight line that goes through the origin. This means that the length of the pendulum
is directly proportional to the period of motion.
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions and submit your group’s answer to the instructor.
1. Define simple harmonic motion
Simple harmonic motion is special type of periodic motion where restoring
force on the moving object is directly proportional to the displacement of the
object and in the opposite direction
2. Define period of oscillation
Time to complete one oscillation or full cycle is called period T
3. Write down the equations for period of motion in pendulum and simple
harmonic motion.
𝑙
Period of motion in pendulum, T= 2𝜋√
𝑔
𝑚
Simple harmonic motion, T= 2𝜋√
𝑘
4. State the conditions required for a simple pendulum to exhibit simple
harmonic motion.
Acceleration is always in the opposite direction to the displacement
from the equilibrium position.
Acceleration is proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium
position.
5. How to measure period of oscillation and length of the thread?
By using stop watch for measure period of oscillation and ruler for length of
the thread
6. If we vary the length of a pendulum, the period will change. Make an
appropriate table to record the data of L and T .
L (m) 10 T (s)
𝐿
7. Given an equation T2 = 4𝜋 2 has form of a linear equation y= mx + c. By
𝑔
plotting a graph of acceleration, T2 versus L what is the quantity represented
by the gradient of the graph?
4𝜋 2
Gradient of the graph, m=
𝑔
8. How do we determine the value of g from the graph of T2 versus L?
𝐿 4𝜋 2
T2 = 4𝜋 +0 , m=
𝑔 𝑔
4𝜋 2
y = mx + c , g=
𝑚
POST-LAB QUESTIONS
1. Is air resistance or friction a systematic or random source of error?
Systematic error.
2. Would air resistance causes the period measured from the experiment
larger or smaller than the theoretical value?
The air resistance would cause the mass to slow down during its
oscillation, meaning the period for 10 oscillations would be lower than the
expected theoretical value.
3. What would be the period of a simple pendulum of length 1.0 m ?
Greater than 1.795 s
4. What would be the period of a 1.0 m length pendulum if it were oscillating
on the moon?
=0
REFERENCE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_harmonic_motion
