Name of the Experiment: Determination of the value of g, acceleration due to gravity, by means

of a compound pendulum.
Objectives:
a) To measure the value of g by determining length graphically.
b) To measure the time of one oscillation of the pendulum by the point of intersection.
Learning Outcomes:
a) To determine the mass of the earth by deriving the local acceleration due to gravity.
b) To compare the local acceleration with the standard value of g.

Theory:

Compound pendulum is a rigid body of any shape free 𝑡𝑜 turn about a horizontal axis. In Fig.
1, G is the centre of gravity of the pendulum of mass M, Which performs oscillations about a
horizontal axis through O.

When the pendulum is at an angle θ to the vertical, the equation of motion of the pendulum is
Iw = Mglsinθ
here w is the angular acceleration produced, l is the distance OG and I is the moment of inertia
of the pendulum about the axis of oscillations.

For small amplitude of vibration, sinθ = θ, so that

Iw = Mglθ ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ (1)

Hence the motion is simple harmonic, with period of vibrations,

𝐼
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ (2)
𝑀𝑔𝑙

If K is the radius of gyration of the pendulum about an axis through G parallel to the axis of
oscillation through O, from the parallel Axes Theorem, I = M (K2 + l2), and so

K 2 + l2
K2 + l2
T = 2π√ = 2π√ l ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ (3)
gl g
Since the periodic time of a simple pendulum is given by
1
Page

Aoly Ur Rahman
Lecturer, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
 L
T = 2π√ ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ (4)
g
The period of the rigid body (compound pendulum) is the same as that of a simple pendulum
of length
K 2 + l2
L= ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ (5)
l
This length L is known as the length of the simple equivalent pendulum. The expression for L
can be written as a quadratic in (3). Thus from (5)

l2 − IL + K 2 = 0 ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ (6)

This gives two values of l (l1 and l2) for which the body has equal times of vibration. From the
theory of quadratic equations,

l1 + l2 = L and l1 l2 = K 2

As the sum and products of two roots are positive, the two roots are both positive. This means
that there are two positions of the centre of suspension on the same side of C.G. about which
the periods (T) would be same. Similarly, there will be two more points of suspension on the
other side of the C.G., about which the time periods (T) will again be the same. Thus, there are
altogether four points, two on either side of the C.G., about which the time periods of the
pendulum are the same (T). The distance between two such points, asymmetrically situated on
either side of the C.G., will be the length (L) of the simple equivalent pendulum. If the length
K2 K2
OG in fig is l1 and we measure the length GS = along OG produced, then obviously = l2
l1 l1
Or, OS = OG + GS = l1 + l2 = L. The period of oscillation about either O or S, the time period
L
is the same. If this period of oscillation is T, then from the expression T = 2π√g we get,
L
g = 4π2 ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ (7)
T2

By finding L graphically, and determining the value of the period T, the acceleration due to
gravity (g) at the place of the experiment can be determined 2
Page

Aoly Ur Rahman
Lecturer, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
Figure: Determination of the value of g, acceleration due to gravity, by means of a compound
pendulum.

Equipment Required:
1. A bar pendulum.
2. A small metal wedge.
3. A beam compass.
4. A spirit level.
5. A telescope with cross-wires in the eye-piece.
6. Stop-watch.
7. A wooden prism with metal edge.
Procedure:

1. Find out the center of gravity G of the bar by balancing it on the wooden prism.

2. Put a chalk mark on the line AB of the bar. Insert the metal wedge in the first hole in the
bar towards A and place the wedge on the support S1S2 so that the bar can turn around S.

3. Place a telescope at a distance of about a meter from the bar and focus the cross- wires and
rotate the collar of the tube till the cross-wires form a distinct cross. Next focus the telescope
on the bar and see that the point of inter-section of the cross-wires coincides with the chalk
mark along the line AB of the bar.

4. Set the bar to oscillate taking care to see that the amplitude of oscillations is not more than
5° . Note the time for 50 oscillations by counting the oscillations when the line AB passes
the inter-section of the cross-wires in the same direction.

5. Measure the length from the end A of the bar to the top of the first hole i.e., upto the point
3

of suspension of the pendulum.

Page

Aoly Ur Rahman
Lecturer, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
6. In the same way, suspend the bar at holes 2, 3, --------------and each time note times for 50
oscillations. Also measure distances from the end A for each hole.

7. When the middle point of the bar is passed, it will turn round so that the end B is now on
the top. But continue measuring distances from the point of suspension to the end A.

8. Now calculate the time-period T from the time recorded for 50 oscillations.

9. On a nice and large graph paper, plot a curve with length a s abscissa and Period T as
ordinate with the origin at the middle of the paper along the abscissa.

10. Through the point on the graph paper corresponding to the centre of gravity of the bar, draw
a vertical line. Draw a second line ABCD along the abscissa. AC or BD is the length of the
K2 K2
equivalent simple pendulum i,e., L = l1 + , AG=l1 and GC= = l2 , C being the centre
l1 l1
K2
of oscillation. Similarly, GD = l1 and GB = = l2 , B being the centre of oscillation. From
l1
L
this, g = 4π2 T2 can be calculated.

11. By drawing another line ABCD calculate another value of g

4
Page

Aoly Ur Rahman
Lecturer, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
Student Works:
Table 8.1: Table for time period, T (sec)

Distance from Time for 50 Time period

Side Hole no. fixed end ‘A’ Oscillations T
in cm in sec in sec
1
2
3
End ‘A’ 4
5
6
7
8
9
1
2
3
4
End ‘B’ 5
6
7
8
9

Graph:

Fig: Method of measuring length (L) from graph.

Page

Aoly Ur Rahman
Lecturer, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
Calculation:
From the graph,

Length AC=∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ cm , Length BD=∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ cm

AC+BD
Mean length L= =∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ cm
2

Corresponding time-period from the graph, T =∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ sec

4π2 L
Hence, g = =∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ cm. per sec 2
T2

Error Calculation:

Standard value of g is 981 cm/sec2

𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 ~ 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Hence percentage of Error = × 100 %
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

Results:
The value of g, acceleration due to gravity=∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ cm. per sec 2
Discussions:
1)……………………………………….

2)………………………………………

Some related questions to be answered:

1.What do you mean by acceleration due to gravity (g)?

2.What is center of gravity on an object?
3.What is the length of the equivalent of simple pendulum?
4.Is the value of ‘g’ constant in everywhere and why?
5. Explain the nature of the graph.
Reference Book:
1. Practical Physics, Dr. Giasuddin Ahmad & Md. Shahabuddin.
2. Fundamental of physics, David Halliday, Resnick & Walker.
6
Page

Aoly Ur Rahman
Lecturer, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology