Bifilar Experiment: Length Vs Period

Bifilar experiment: length vs period
Aim: To find the relationship between the lengths of suspension strings of a bifilar pendulum
and the pendulum’s period
Method:
1. Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram.
2. Adjust the spacing of the strings so they are 20cm apart (check at the top and bottom of
the strings)
3. Adjust the length of the strings to 20cm
4. Check spacing of the strings is still 20cm apart (check at the top and bottom of the
strings)
5. Hold the rod at the centre and twist it (around 15˚) and let go
6. Time 10 oscillations and record the time
7. Repeat step 6 until 5 times are recorded.
Independent variable – the length of the suspension swings
Dependent variable – the period of the pendulum (the time to swing from one side to the
other and back again)
Control variables
In order to ensure that only two variables are being measured. I am controlling the
following factors:
1. The spacing between the strings must be kept the same (where they are attached to the
ruler, and at the top where they are suspended). I will use a spacing of 20cm, measuring from
the centres of the string. If not, the two pieces of string will have different lengths which will
affect the results.
2. Use the same ruler for the experiment. Different rulers have different masses which will affect
the results (as per the formula)
3. Use the same method for deflecting the ruler (twist at the centre of the ruler) and use a small
deflection each time (approximately 15˚) to ensure SHM.
Accuracy improvement
1. I will time 10 oscillations and divide by 10 to get the time for one period. This will reduce
the effect of random variations in my times.
2. I will reduce parallax error when measuring length by making sure I am viewing the scale
at 90˚, and making sure the ruler is close to the strings.
3. Zero error: I made sure the stopwatch was calibrated to zero when using it to measure
time.
Results (no processing - with uncertainties calculations)
Uncertainty for independent variable: 0.001
Uncertainty for dependent: range/2

Theory:
The unprocessed data above would not give a straight line graph.
As T is proportional to √L, therefore I will need to graph T against √L to get a straight line graph and
work out the equation.
Processing:
Explain treatment of errors:
- 0.001m as this is the instrument uncertainty for a meter ruler

- Being a constant error, the greatest % error is 5% being 1 centimetre in 20 centimetres
in the shorter pendulum length.
- Using the half range rule gives an absolute uncertainty of about +0.02 and a maximum
percentage uncertainty of 0.02/9 = +/- 2%
- can use largest Time uncertainty for all Time error bars
Gradient of best fit line
Rise = 5.9s
Run = 1.02 √m
Gradient = 5.9/1.02 = 5.784
Gradient of worst fit line
Rise = 5.9s
Run = 0.96 √m
Gradient = 5.9/0.96 = 6.145
Difference between gradient of best and worst fit line
Δgradient = 6.145 – 5.784 = 0.361 = 0.4 (1sf)
Gradient = 5.8 ±0.4
The relationship for the line is
T = (5.8 ±0.4) √L
Relationship:
T = (5.8 ±0.4) √L
Conclusion:
- Compare gradients
-
Discussion:
- Outliers and how they were removed. This shifts up the gradients which will affect the
comparison between my experiment and the theory.
- The oscillation occurs due to a SHM. Hence, a small angle is required to ensure that this
is true. However, this is very hard to approximate when you are carrying out the
investigation.
- The horizontal length of the ruler varied when it sagged
- Techniques: It was found that a level tool is useful to verify that the model is laterally
level, which ensures an equal length of the filars at the start of the trials.
- Other factors: e.g. whether or not the fillers are parallel, how they are attached to the top
(e.g. so that they are not slanted). Important to control.
- Important to ensure that the rod is only moving in the horizontal plane. If moving up and
down, then it will affect that length of the filars, and hence, the results.
- Others might have a different value depending on the range of the independent value
chosen. Indeed, the increase that we saw does get progressively less and less, and
hence, it is important to ensure that the right range is chosen to gain a good value for the
gradient.
The gradient of this fits with my experimental relationship, as the gradient is within the
gradient range. However, the y-intercept of C is not within my y-intercept range. This
means there could possibly be a constant systematic error. This is probably due to the
reaction time error when timing T. Although this was reduced it can’t be completely
eliminated, possibly resulting in the intercept being out of range.
The period of oscillations for the bifilar Pendulum was timed using a stopwatch. The matter with the
stopwatch is that it causes a systematic error by rounding the final value presented either up or down.
Therefore, to account for this and minimise the impact of inconsistencies in the experimental procedure (e.g.
Inaccurate reading of the period of an oscillation, different angle of deflection of the ruler, starting/stopping
the the stopwatch a bit too soon/late each time) multiple measurements were taken. As this will allow for a
more reliable value to be reached which is closer to the actual value, compared to taking only one reading of
time for each length. Thus, minimisng the systematic error of the stopwatch as well as the inconsistencies in
following the method.
The ruler was defected by an angle of approximately 10 degrees, as a

small angle will keep sintheta constant so that variability is removed in
Tsintheta (the force responsible for the movement of the Pendulum). This
will result in consistent periods of oscillations as Tsintheta is not changing
continuously, hence accuracy will be maintained in the experiment
Sturdiness
Shm requires small angle

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Bifilar experiment: length vs period

1. Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram.

Results (no processing - with uncertainties calculations)

Uncertainty for independent variable: 0.001

Uncertainty for dependent: range/2

Explain treatment of errors:

- 0.001m as this is the instrument uncertainty for a meter ruler

Gradient = 5.9/1.02 = 5.784

Gradient of worst fit line

Gradient = 5.9/0.96 = 6.145

Difference between gradient of best and worst fit line

Δgradient = 6.145 – 5.784 = 0.361 = 0.4 (1sf)

Gradient = 5.8 ±0.4

The relationship for the line is

The ruler was defected by an angle of approximately 10 degrees, as a

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