HL Physics IA
Confirming the proportional relationship between length
and the time period in a conical pendulum
Introduction:
What interests me in this project is seeing how a centripetal force that acts on a moving object
(with a constant angle) by changing the distance of the object with the pivot affects the time it
takes for the rotation to take place: this relates to my interest in planets and circular motion; i
had been very invested lately in exploring planet motions and how does their circular rotation
work. A force that acts towards the centre of the circle is needed to have a net direction in a
circular orbit; it is seen in planets as an ellipse motion. Conical pendulums were, in theory,
invented to describe the motion of planets in the universe. 2Robert Hooke (1635-1703)
theorized that a conical pendulum could be used to show the principles of planetary orbital
motion.
The conical pendulum has several uses in the real world; one of them is measuring time,
which in the past it was the main. It is often seen in amusement parks and among other
everyday objects. There are several types of pendulums; 1A conical pendulum is mainly
composed of a mass “m” bob hung on the end of a string of length “l” from a fixed point moving
in a horizontal circle at a constant speed “v”. The string creates a constant angle with the
vertical. So the pendulum bob creates a circle to the horizontal, whereas the fixed end
represents a cone.
Background research:
figure 1: diagram of conical pendulum
_______________________
1
Post author By Hemant More, et al. “Conical Pendulum: Its Time Period, Tension in String, Numerical Problems.” The Fact
Factor, 20 Feb. 2020,
https://thefactfactor.com/facts/pure_science/physics/conical-pendulum/6460/#:~:text=The%20semi%2Dvertical%20angle
%20%CE%B8,in%20turn%20%CE%B8%20increases.
2
Cooper, Michael, and Hunter Michael Cyril William. Robert Hooke: Tercentennial Studies. Routledge, 2017.
Page 1 of 11
1
In figure 1: diagram of a conical pendulum, there are present variables such as “l” the length of
the string: “h” height of the string when at the equilibrium position: “r” is the radius in which
the bob will rotate in a circular path. The tension “F” in the string can be resolved into two
components: Horizontal “Fsin𝜃” and vertical “Fcos 𝜃”.
The vertical component equals the weight “mg” of the bob but in the opposite direction.
Fcos𝜃 = mg
equation 1
2
The horizontal component F sin𝜃 provides the necessary centripetal force to keep the bob in a
circular motion:
F sin𝜃 = (mv2)/r
equation 2
2
A way to join this two equations is if we divide
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
= (mv2/r) / (mg) = v2 / rg
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ
∴ 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = v2 / rg
making “v” the subject
𝑣= 𝑟𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ
equation 3
The speed of the bob is constant, can be calculated by dividing the circumference 2πr by the
time T necessary to complete one circle of the bob where “T” is the time period.
𝑣 = 2π𝑟/𝑇
equation 4
therefore if we equal equation 3 and 4 we get
2π𝑟/𝑇 = 𝑟𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ
𝑔𝑡𝑎𝑛θ
∴ 2π/𝑇= 𝑟
equation 5
_______________________
1
Post author By Hemant More, et al. “Conical Pendulum: Its Time Period, Tension in String, Numerical Problems.” The Fact
Factor, 20 Feb. 2020,
https://thefactfactor.com/facts/pure_science/physics/conical-pendulum/6460/#:~:text=The%20semi%2Dvertical%20angle
%20%CE%B8,in%20turn%20%CE%B8%20increases.
2
“Conical Pendulum.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Mar. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conical_pendulum.
Page 2 of 11
”r”, “h”, and “l” form a right triangle as shown in figure 1, with θ being the angle between the
sides “h” and “l” the hypotenuse, therefore:
sinθ = opp/hyp = r/l
∴ r=lsinθ.
equation 6
Replacing “r” from equation 6 into 5
𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ
2π/𝑇= 𝑙 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
and
𝑡𝑎𝑛θ 1
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
1 𝑔
∴ 1/𝑇 = 2π 𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
∴ 𝑇 = 2π 𝑔
equation 7
Hypothesis:
Therefore according to the equation there is a proportional relationship between the time
period and the length in a conical pendulum. We can make a graph of T2 against l. Expecting a
straight line that passes through the origin. Where [(4π2 cos𝜃 )/ g) ] = gradient
𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
T2 = 4π2 𝑔
equation 8
I will then compare the value of the gravitational field “g” taken from my results, with the actual
value which is 9.81 m s-2. This way I can see how accurate my results were and answer my
research question: How does the length “l” in meters affect the Time period “T” in seconds
in a conical pendulum with a constant angle (𝜃)?
_______________________
1
Post author By Hemant More, et al. “Conical Pendulum: Its Time Period, Tension in String, Numerical Problems.” The Fact
Factor, 20 Feb. 2020,
https://thefactfactor.com/facts/pure_science/physics/conical-pendulum/6460/#:~:text=The%20semi%2Dvertical%20angle
%20%CE%B8,in%20turn%20%CE%B8%20increases.
Page 3 of 11
Table 1: Variables
Variables Reason
Independent Length, This variable is the one that we manipulate in order to affect the
l/m dependent variable.
The independent variable is the length of the string.
I have a range from 0.15m to 0.60m in intervals of 0.05m. The
reason for this is because the minimum data is short enough to
make it possible to count ten oscillations without a lot of
difficulty: the shorter the string is, the faster it rotates. The
maximum value is an appropriate length to do the experiment in
classroom conditions in which the space is limited. The interval
has been chosen so that I measure 10 different values, which is a
suitable normal to reduce the uncertainties in the experiment.
The material of the string is not extensible, which means that the
mass will not affect the length of the string.
Dependant Time The dependent variable is the one we are measuring: the time
period, period. This will be timed with a stopwatch by hand: the reaction
t/s time of the person must be included in the uncertainty. The
stopwatch was started as I released the pendulum and then
counted ten oscillations to reduce uncertainty.
Controlled Angle (θ) It is important to keep the Angle (θ) (degrees) constant because
(degrees) 𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
in the relationship 𝑇 = 2π 𝑔
The angle affects the time
period. To keep the angle constant I measured the initial angle
that was considered appropriate 25±0.5o , then every time it was
launched, the angle was measured.
I read the angle parallel to the protractor to avoid parallax error.
Controlled Mass of The second controlled variable is the mass. Even though the
the bob, mass is not included in the relationship and theoretically it does
m/g not have an effect on the results, I need to make sure it is not an
error factor in case the size of the sphere affects the drag and
therefore the time period, so I made sure to use a very small
mass for this experiment.
Controlled Force at The third controlled variable is the force at which the bob is
which launched. The velocity at which the bob rotates in the circular
pendulum path affects the time period. The “push” was done by hand;
is released, nevertheless, I did my best to keep the push at the same force.
F/N However, the human error in this controlled variable was very
high.
Page 4 of 11
figure 2: Diagram of apparatus
Apparatus List:
- Clamp stand
- String that ranges from 0.15m to 0.60m
- Bob of mass 11.64g
- Protractor
- Circular cardboard with fixed end
- Resistol
- Meter ruler
Method:
1. Attach the string with the first length (0.15m) to the cardboard using the resistol.
2. Extend the string to the angle of 25o, measure the angle with the protractor (as shown in
figure 2) - make sure you are taking the reading of the angle parallel to the protractor to
avoid parallax error.
3. Then with one hand release the pendulum in a conical motion and at the same time start
the stopwatch.
4. Record for ten oscillations and then stop the stopwatch.
5. Repeat this process 5 times with the same length.
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5, the same process but with different lengths from 0.15m-0.60m
measuring in intervals of 0.05m.
7. Record the readings in a table.
8. Finally, with a calculated Time period, make a graph and discuss the results.
Page 5 of 11
Table 2: Risk Assessment
Risk Likelihood of risk Precautions
Bob hits objects that are likely If the workspace you Be careful that the force in which
likely to get broken. are in is very disorganized: you are throwing the bob is not too
you can hit something hard in case you hit something
unintentionally accidentally. Make sure your
workspace is organized and there
is no apparatus at risk of breaking.
Environmental issues: if objects
are broken they can contribute to
trash contamination as they are
misused resources.
The clamp stand is Likely If you have a big bob Place a weight at the base of the
unbalanced and can fall or the tongues that are clamp stand to make sure it does
damaging the apparatus perpendicular to the clamp not fall.
itself or the stuff that stand that sustains the
surrounds it. fixed end is heavier than There are no environmental
the clamp stand it is likely issues.
to fall.
Data of controlled variables:
Table 3: of angle 𝜃 in degrees, cos𝜃, and mass of the bob
The limit of reading in a protractor is 1 degree therefore the uncertainty is ±0.5o
The uncertainty of cos𝜃 was calculated by getting the range of the maximum and minimum
angles and then divided by two [cos(24.5)-cos(25.5)]/2 = 0.003689 = ±0.004
The limit of reading of the balance scale is 0.01, therefore, the uncertainty is ±0.005g
Page 6 of 11
Processed Data:
Table 4: length, time for 10 swings, av time for 10 oscillations, av time for 1 oscillation,
Time period for 1 oscillation.
The length was measured using a meter rule, the limit of reading was 0.001m hence the
uncertainty used was ±0.0005m.
The time for 10 swings was measured with a stopwatch with a human uncertainty of ±0.2s.
The stopwatch was to two decimal places, nonetheless, the data was recorded to one decimal
place to match the uncertainty of human error.
The av time for 10 oscillations was calculated by calculating the average of the 5 trials.
Eg. (8.1+8.2+8.5+8.2+8.2) / 5 = 8.2 s
The uncertainty of the av time for 10 oscillations was calculated by the range divided by two,
(Max-Min)/2.
Eg. (8.5-8.1)/2 = ±0.2 s
The av time for 1 oscillation was calculated by dividing by 10. The uncertainty was calculated
∆𝐴𝑣10
with the equation: ∆𝐴𝑣1 = 𝐴𝑣10
× 𝐴𝑣1
0.2
Eg. 8.2
× 0. 82 = ±0. 02 s
The time period squared was calculated by multiplying the av time for 1 oscillation by itself.
∆ 𝑦 ∆ 𝑎
The uncertainty was calculated with the equation if y = an then 𝑦 = ||𝑛 𝑎 ||.
Eg. 2 x (0.03/0.93) x 0.86 = ± 0.06 s2
Page 7 of 11
Graph 1: A graph of the time period for one oscillation squared against length
The maximum and minimum gradients were put to get a range of values of g.
𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
The graph is in the form of y=mx+c ∴ T2 = 4π2 𝑔
where [(4π2 cos𝜃 )/ g) ] = gradient
The uncertainty of the gradient is (4.6563 - 3.9441)/ 2 = 0.3561 = ±0.4 s2 m-1
Knowing that the angle in which the pendulum was released is 25o degrees
= cos (25) = 0.906±0.004.
∴ g = [(4π2 cos𝜃 )/ gradient ]
best fit:
g =( 4π2 *0.906)/ 4.2835 = 8.350 m s-2
max gradient:
g = ( 4π2 *0.906)/ 4.6563 = 7.682 m s-2
Page 8 of 11
min gradient:
g = ( 4π2 *0.906)/3.9441 = 9.069 m s-2
∴ g lies between 7.682 m s-2 ≤ g ≤ 9.069 m s-2
the uncertainty can be calculated with the equation
𝑎𝑏
if 𝑦 = 𝑐
∆𝑦 ∆𝑎 ∆𝑏 ∆𝑐
then 𝑦
= 𝑎
+ 𝑏
+ 𝑐
0.004 0.3561
= ( 0.906 + 4.2248
) × 8. 350 = 0. 7407 m s-2
g = 8. 350 ± 0.7407 m s-2
= 8.0 ± 0.7 m s-2
Conclusion:
As the hypothesis suggested, the best-fit line shows a proportional relationship between the
time period squared and the length of the string, shown in the graph with a straight line that
𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
passes through the origin and through all the error bars, as shown in equation 8: T2 = 4π2 𝑔
Nonetheless in the graph, there is a systematic shift downwards, represented by the y-intercept
(-0.025). The line equation is ybestfit=4.2835x-0.025 in the form of y=mx+c. The “x” variable
gives us the independent variable, which is the length, and the “y” variable gives us the
dependant variable, which is the time period squared; the gradient is equal to [(4π2 cos𝜃 )/ g)
]. Then we can make the gravitational field the subject of the equation, which is 8.0 ± 0.7 m s-2,
compared to the actual value of g, which is 9.81 m s-2. Hence, this experiment was off by 1.11< x
< 2.51 m s-2 . This experimental value can be considered slightly inaccurate, as the range of
values does not lie in the actual value. The error bars in the graph suggest an extensive range of
results: uncertainties got up to values such as ±0.11s. The least uncertainty got to ±0.03s: this
was a result of the trials, and each length had a different range of results, which suggest that
there were a lot of random errors in the experiment, mainly due to human error. As we can see
in the results table, the most significant uncertainty was the last one: This could have been
because I was already tired, and the reaction time could have affected the time period.
Page 9 of 11
Discussion:
I am not confident in my data; the range of values that I calculated from my experiment does
not lie in the actual value of the gravitational field; therefore, my data is not accurate.
Nonetheless, I consider my data precise as the uncertainties are relatively small, and the time
period between trials does not vary that much.
Table 5: Errors in the experiment, effect and improvement
Errors Effect on the experiment Improvement
The force that the As it was done by hand, the Stick the bob to the clamp with
conical pendulum push varied a bit depending on minimal tape and easily removable.
was launched how hard I launched it every First, adjust it so that it is the
time; as much as it tried to keep correct angle. Then with another
it constant, it was tough to bob, launching it from the highest
control. Moreover, it affected the position in a simple pendulum style
experiment with random errors and releasing it so that it hits the
in all the data. other pendulum and starts rotating
in a conical way. Then quickly take
away that other pendulum so that it
does not disrupt the experiment.
Launching the Even though the angle was To improve this error, we could first
conical pendulum at measured in a perpendicular concentrate on launching the
an angle and eye view to the protractor, pendulum at the correct angle with
starting the unintentionally it was moved a push that we considered constant.
stopwatch at the slightly every time it was Then after one oscillation, the
same time. launched the bob due that the stopwatch is started. From there,
eye view had to go to the count ten more; hence, 11
stopwatch to start it at the same oscillations would have taken place
time. but only 10 to be counted; this way,
the reaction time and the
This error could have multitasking would not have been a
contributed to the systematic limitation for getting wrong results.
shift in the experiment, as we
can see in the y-intercept of the
best line -0.025.
Elliptical movement Sometimes, the pendulum was When launching the pendulum,
rotating in an elliptical manner make sure that it is not rotating in
due to an error in the launching. an elliptical way, and if so, stop the
Therefore it may have affected motion and try again.
the time period.
This investigation could have been extended by analyzing how the length affects the
semi-vertical angle with a constant frequency. This could be investigated using a motor that
created a constant speed, hence, a constant time period, so then the only variable that would
affect the semi-vertical angle is the length.
Page 10 of 11
Bibliography:
1
Post author By Hemant More, et al. “Conical Pendulum: Its Time Period, Tension in String,
Numerical Problems.” The Fact Factor, 20 Feb. 2020,
https://thefactfactor.com/facts/pure_science/physics/conical-pendulum/6460/#:~:text=The
%20semi%2Dvertical%20angle%20%CE%B8,in%20turn%20%CE%B8%20increases.
2
Cooper, Michael, and Hunter Michael Cyril William. Robert Hooke: Tercentennial Studies.
Routledge, 2017.
3
“Conical Pendulum.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Mar. 2021,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conical_pendulum.
Page 11 of 11
