MEC 101

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENT 2
THE PENDULUM

LECTURER
NURUL AIN HARIS

GROUP
J4EM1101G

BY
AMELIN NAJWA MAZLAINI
2019233336

DATE PERFORMED

10/10/2019
 EXPERIMENT : THE PENDULUM

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between period and length of pendulum.

THEORY

The period of a pendulum is not depending on the mass of the pendulum or amplitude.
Following equation shows that, the period , T has relationship upon the length.

𝒍
T = 2π √
𝒈

Where,

T = period (s), l = length (m), and g =gravitational constant (m/s2)

APPARATUS:

1. Textbook
2. Shoes lace
3. Table
4. Stopwatch
5. Pendulum
6. 90°, 45° ruler
7. Ruler

Figure 1
PROCEDURE

1. The chosen pendulum was tied to the string as shown in Figure 1 above.
2. The length of the thread was measured.
3. The bob of the pendulum was displaced at a certain angle and released.The time for 20
complete oscillations was calculated.
4. The experiment was repeated using other 5 different length.
5. Step 2-4 were repeated using other two different angles.

RESULT

Angle 90°

Time, t (s)
Trial Length, l Oscillation
T₁ Τ₂ Τavg Ttheory Ttheory x 20 Oscillation
1 0.3 20 27.5 27.59 27.545 1.098768 21.97535946
2 0.25 20 24.66 24.4 24.53 1.0030333 20.06066681
3 0.2 20 23.2 23.1 23.15 0.8971403 17.94280586
4 0.15 20 21.33 21.47 21.4 0.7769463 15.53892569
5 0.1 20 19.1 19.35 19.225 0.634374 12.6874797

Graph Length vs Time for angle 90°

30

25
Length, l (m)

20

15

10

0
0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1
Time, t (s)

Experiment Theory

Figure 2: Graph Length vs Time for angle 90°

SAMPLE CALCULATION

𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

0.3
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
9.81

Ttheory = 1.10 s

For 20 oscillation T = Ttheory x 20

T = 1.10 s x 20
= 22s

Fractional Error = Reported value - True value

= 27.55 s – 22 s
= 22 s

True Error = Reported value – True value

= 27.55 s – 22 s
= 5.55 s

𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
Fractional Error = 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

5.55 𝑠
= 22 𝑠

= 0.2522

Percent Error = Fractional Error x 100%

= 0.2522 x 100%

= 25.22%
DISCUSSION

From the experiment, length, l of the pendulum was the independent variable where
the time T of the pendulum was the dependent variable. While plotting the graphs , the
length, l being the dependent variable was taken the x-axis while the square of the time on the
y-axis. After the graph was plotted , there were few scattering of the coordinates due to the
experimental errors this line of best fit was drawn. A straight line was obtained. A straight
line clearly shows that the relationship between the length, l and the square of time, T is
directly proportional. From both graphs, the value of the gravitational constant always
influence the period, T of the pendulum. The time for the oscillations were noted via a
stopwatch, using stopwatch resulted in zero errors as well as parallax error while reading off
the scale. Lastly, note that the uneven air conditions in this experiment due to open window
may have results in some false readings.

CONCLUSION

By the result obtained from the experiment, the objective of the experiment was
achieved. A straight line from the results clearly shows that the relationship between the
length, l and the square of time, T is directly proportional.

REFERENCES

1. R.C Hibbeler (2007), Engineering Mechanics 11th edition , Singapore, Pearson Education.

2. John Alan (2005), the simple pendulum. (https:123helpme.com)