Simple Pendulum Experiment

Phys211 Lab 2
The primary goal of this lab is to design a systematic experimental study of the theoretical
behavior of a simple pendulum. Your lab group will develop a set of procedures that will
appropriately test the following assumed characteristics as derived from applying Newtons 2nd
law of motion.
1) The pendulum period is independent of mass
2) The pendulum period is independent of amplitude for small angles
3) The square of the period is proportional to the length of pendulum

Experimental Objectives
Below is a list of the primary objectives for this lab, however your lab group must work together
and decide on a single set of procedures that will systematically achieve these goals.
1) Demonstrate pendulum motion is independent of mass.
2) Confirm the relationship between the string length and the period for small angles. This
objective should yield a measurement of g (acceleration of gravity) with errors. Plot T2 versus
length L and fit the data to a straight line
3) For angles less than 20 degrees, validate period independence of the amplitude.

Equipment
In this lab, we will used a stop watch, a set of spherical weights with different densities, a meter
stick, string and protractor mount for angle measurements. Standard vertical and horizontal
supports will be available.

Background
Galileo's work on pendulums in the early 1600s is generally regarded as the beginning of
experimental physics. A simple pendulum consists of an object with mass m hanging at the end
of a string of length L. As we have learn the differential equation describing the motion is the
following

d 2 g
+ sin = 0
dt 2 L
This is a non-linear differential equation and is non-trivial to solve. Since m does not appear in
the equation, it cannot appear in the general solution consequently the period T of the pendulum
is independent of m for all angles. The period T does depend on the amplitude of motion for
large angles. We will use the symbol 0 for the amplitude (maximum value of ). The exact
solution for the period T can be written as an infinite series in 0, and the first three terms of the
solution are

T = 2

L
1 2
11 4

0 + L
1 + 0 +
g 16
3072

If the amplitude of motion of the swinging pendulum is small, we can make the approximation

sin

In this small angle regime the differential equation of motion becomes

d 2 g
+ =0
dt 2 L
and the pendulum behaves as a simple harmonic oscillator, with the period T of the pendulum is
given by

T = 2

L
g

Therefore for small angles the period is independent of amplitude as observed by Galileo.