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CSEC Physics/Section A - Mechanics/1.10 Simple Pendulum Simulation Lab
1.10 Simple Pendulum Simulation Lab
The following lab can be replicated in person using an eraser as the pendulum bob, string,
a ruler and a stopwatch.
THEORY:
A simple pendulum is a heavy mass (called the bob) attached to a light inextensible
string. The period of a simple pendulum is given by the formula:
l
T = 2π√
g
By squaring both sides of the formula:
2 2
l
T = 4π
g
This can be rewritten in the form y = mx + c:
2
4π l
2
T = × + 0
1 g
2
4π
2
T = l + 0
g
y = mx + c
Thus if we plot a graph of T versus l then the gradient (m) will and the y-intercept (c)
2
2 4π
will be zero (0). From the gradient of this graph we can find a value for acceleration due to
gravity (g):
2 2
4π 4π
m = → g =
g m
AIM: To investigate the relationship between the length of the pendulum and the
pendulum's period
MATERIALS/APPARATUS: PhET pendulum lab simulation
(https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/pendulum-lab/latest/pendulum-lab_en.html)
METHOD:
1. Run the simulation
2. Select 'Intro'
3. Enable the 'Stopwatch' option
4. Set the length of the pendulum to 50 cm (0.5 m)
5. Pause the simulation
6. Drag the pendulum to an angle of 30 degrees
7. Start the stopwatch
8. Play the simulation then pause it after the pendulum completes 10 oscillations
9. Record the time seen on the stopwatch
10. Reset the stopwatch
11. Repeat steps 5 to 10 for the same length of 50 cm two more times
12. Repeat this process for the other lengths stated in the table below
RESULTS:
Table showing the format for recording results of the simple pendulum simulation
experiment
Time taken Time taken Time taken
Average Time taken for one
Length for 10 for 10 for 10
for 10 oscillation (the
(l) oscillations oscillations oscillations
oscillations period T )
/m /s /s /s
/s /s
Attempt 1 Attempt 2 Attempt 3
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
DATA ANALYSIS:
1. Plot a graph of the square of the period of the pendulum (in s ) versus its length (in m
2
)
2. Draw a best fit line to represent the data
3. Find the gradient of the best fit line
4. Use the simple pendulum formula to find the value of acceleration due to gravity (g)
