1.

0 COMPOUND PENDULUM (EL3-4)

2.0 EXPERIMENT OUTCOMES

i.
To the frequency of motion of a compound pendulum
3.0 THEORY
A compound pendulum,in its simplest form,consists of a rigid body suspended vertically at a
point which allows it to ascillate in small amplitude under the action of gravity.consider a bar
suspended at point o and is free to ascillate .

O is the point of suspended

G is the centre of gravity
m is the mass of the body
is the angular displacement
is the angular acceleration
lo is the mass moment of inertia of the body
When the body is given a small displacement ,the restoring moment about o to bring the
body back to its equilibrium position is given by:

Restoring moment, Mr = m*g*h sin

Disturbing moment,Md = lo *
Since is small , sin = ,therefore;
m*g* = lo *
=(m*g*h ) / lo
periodic time = 2
=2

* (displacement/ acceleration)
* (/ )

=2 [ lo / (m*g*h)]

Frequency of motion , n = 1/ (periodic time)

=(1/2 ) * [ lo / (m*g*h)]

From parallel axis theorem,

lo = lg + mh2
l g = m k2
where k is the radius of gyration

4.0 EQUIPMENTS / MATERIALS

i.

A simple compound pendulum consisting of a rod and a cylindrical bob weight.

Pendulum compound

ii.

A stop watch

5.0 SAFETY PRECAUTION

rod

cylindrical bob weight

I.
II.

III.
IV.

When operating and carrying out maintenance on the equipment the health and safety
of student can be safeguarded in many ways by wearing protective clothing
Loose fitting clothes should never be worn in a labarotary.these clothes can cause a
serious accident if caught in rotating equipment i.e tie etc.protective gloves must be
use if handling toxic materials or where there is a high temperature present.
Ear protectorsshould be worn when operating noisy equipments
Eye protection should always be used when there is s risk to the eyes.

6.0 PROCEDURES
A) Frequency of motion of the rod
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.

Bob weight was removed from the rod.

The diameter of the rod was measured and recorded at least 5 location.
The length of the rod was measured and recorded to obtain the position of centre
gravity.
The distance the point of suspension from the end of the rod was measured and
recorded.
Weight of the rod was recorded
The rod was hanged at the point of suspension
Stopwatch set to zero.the operation of the stopwatch was familiarized
The rod displaced at a small angle.
The rod was realeased and the stop watch was started simultaneously.
The watch was stoped after the rod have excuted 5 cycles of oscillations.
This time was recorded in table provided
The step 6 to 10 was repeated fo a few more times to get the average readings of time
over 5 oscillations
The ros was removed and hanged it at a new point of suspension.the distance the point
suspension was measured and recorded from the end of the rod
Step 7 to 12 was repeated

B) Frequency of motion or the rod and bob weight

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.

The bob weught was recorded.

The diameter of bob weight was measured and recorded to obtain the position of centre
of gravity
The thickness of the bob weight was measured and recorded
The position of bob weight was decided on the rod
The rod was inserted through the hole in the bob weight until the decided location.
Tightened the screw on the bob weight against the rod to hold the bob weight in position
The distance of the centre of gravity of the bob weight was measured from the point of
suspension.
Stopwatch set to zero.the operation of the stopwatch was familiarized
The rod displaced at a small angle.
The rod was realeased and the stop watch was started simultaneously.
The watch was stoped after the rod have excuted 5 cycles of oscillations.
This time was recorded in table provided
Step 7 to 12 was repeated for a few more times to get the average readings of time over 5
ocvillations
With a few more position was repeated.

7.0 RESULT/DATA
A)frequency of motion of the rod
Weight of road = 0.998 kg

Length of road =1 m
Distance of point of suspension from the top end of the rod = 1.1m
Table 1 average diameter of rod

Reading 1

Rod diameter

(m)

Reading 2

Reading 3

Reading 4

Reading 5

average

Table 2 time over oscillations

Test no

Time over 5 oscillations (sec)

9.3

2
3
4
5
average

8.3
8.4
8.5
8.5
8.6

Time per cycle (oscollations),periodic time =

8.6
5

=1.7 sec

B)frequency of motion of the rod and bob weight

Weight of bob weight =0.72kg
Diameter of bob weight = 50.04m
Thickness of bob weight =

Distance of point suspension from centre of gravity of bob weight =