ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND

COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE
FRESH MAN Program
NATURAL SCIENCE STREAM
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS LABORATORY REPORT
 Date: December 20, 2024

Experiment 2
Title: Local acceleration due to gravity using
simple pendulum
Objective:
The main objective of this laboratory report is to determine the local acceleration due to
gravity (g) by investigating the relationship between the period of a simple pendulum and its
length. Through a series of experiments, we aim to vary the length of the pendulum while
keeping other factors constant and measure the resulting periods of oscillation. By
systematically varying the length of the pendulum and recording its corresponding period, we
intend to analyse any patterns or trends in the data to accurately calculate the value of (g).
This investigation will provide valuable insights into the fundamental principles governing
the behaviour of simple pendulums and contribute to a better understanding of gravitational
acceleration.

Theory{introduction}:
A simple pendulum consists of a mass (known as the bob) suspended from a fixed point by a
string or rod. When displaced from its equilibrium position, the pendulum experiences a
restoring force due to gravity, causing it to oscillate back and forth. This restoring force is
proportional to the displacement of the pendulum from its equilibrium position and acts in the
direction that tends to return the pendulum to its resting position. In the case of a simple
pendulum, the only significant force acting on the bob is the gravitational force, which
produces a component force along the path of the pendulum's motion. This gravitational force
acts as the restoring force that drives the pendulum's oscillations. The period of a simple
pendulum, the time it takes to complete one full oscillation, depends primarily on the length
of the pendulum and the local acceleration due to gravity. Longer pendulums have longer
periods, while stronger gravitational fields result in shorter periods.

Apparatus (Equipment):
 Mass (bob of different size)
 String with manageable length
 Support (stand and ceiling)
 Digital/analogy stop watch
 Meter stick
Procedure:
The bob was connected to the string, which was suspended from a certain height.
Subsequently, the initial length of the pendulum was set to 80 cm, with consecutive
increments of 10 cm applied five times. For each interval, the pendulum received a small
displacement. Following this, each pendulum was allowed to complete ten full cycles, with
the time taken meticulously recorded. The total time elapsed was then divided into ten
segments to derive the average period (T) for each oscillation. Finally, the experiment was
repeated, this time altering the bob's mass to either small or large.

Observation:
In the laboratory, we meticulously studied the local acceleration due to gravity using a simple
pendulum, emphasizing precise measurements and robust uncertainty analysis. The
experiment involved carefully recording the period of oscillation and the length of the
pendulum, while accounting for potential uncertainties arising from air resistance, string
elasticity, and measurement techniques. These considerations were integral to accurately
determining the local acceleration due to gravity. By transparently acknowledging and
addressing uncertainty in our measurements, we gained a deeper understanding of the
complexities of pendulum motion and the local gravitational field. This meticulous approach
not only contributed to the reliability of our results but also underscored the importance of
rigorous uncertainty analysis in experimental investigations.

I. Measurement of time and length for ball 2

These quantities are measured using digital stopwatch and meter stick.

Number of trials Time for 10 oscillations(s) Length of the rope(cm)

1 17.83 80
2 18.90 90
3 20.1 100
4 21.1 110
5 21.97 120
II. Measurement of time and length for ball 2
These quantities are measured using digital stopwatch and meter stick.

Number of trials Time for 10 oscillations(s) Length of the rope(cm)

1 17.77 80
2 18.95 90
3 19.95 100
4 21.04 110
5 21.93 120
Analysis:
From thew above data the following results are analysed. The analysed results are written in
their experimentation order.
In this analysis, we're looking at how fast an object falls due to gravity. We're using a simple
pendulum—a weight on a string—to help us figure this out. By analysing the information, we
collect from the pendulum's swinging motion, like how long it takes to swing back and forth
and the length of the string, we can calculate the strength of gravity in our specific location.
From the collected data we are obliged to calculate the square of the time(T 2), acceleration
due to gravity(g), deviation each acceleration from the mean acceleration and the square of
deviation each acceleration from the mean acceleration(g-g av)2. Each measurement is done by
swinging the pendulum 10 times and taking the duration wile increasing the length of the
rope 10cm at a time starting from 80cm. The observation is done for two balls of different
mass, and each of them followed the same procedure.
For ball 1 the calculation is worked as:
I. At 80cm the time duration for 10 swing is 17.74s
a. T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (17.83 s /10)2 = (1.783s)2 = 3.179s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×0.8 m
b. g = 2 = 2 = 9.925m/s 2
T 3.179 s
II. At 90cm the time duration for 10 swing is 18.64s
a. T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (18.90 s /10)2 = (1.89s)2 = 3.59s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×0.9 m
b. g = 2 = 2 = 9.87m/s 2
T 3.59 s
III. At 100cm the time duration for 10 swing is 20.16s
a. T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (20.0 s/10)2 = (2.00s)2 = 4.00s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×1 m
b. g = 2 = 2 = 9.84m/s 2
T 4.00 s
IV. At 110cm the time duration for 10 swing is 20.72s
a. T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (21.10 s /10)2 = (2.11s)2 = 4.43s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×1.1 m
b. g = 2 = 2 = 9.79m/s 2
T 4.43 s
V. At 120cm the time duration for 10 swing is 21.54s
a. T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (21.97 s/10)2 = (2.197s)2 = 4.827s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×1.2 m
b. g = 2 = 2 = 9.80m/s 2
T 4.827 s
 So, from this the average acceleration due to gravity is:

5 2 2 2 2
1 m/s + ¿ 9.84 m/s +9.79 m/s + 9.80 m/s
gav = ∑ gi = 9.925 m/ s2 +9.87 ¿ = 9.845m/s 2
5 i=1 5

I. At 80cm the time duration for 10 swing is 17.83s

a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.925m/s 2 – 9.845m/s 2 = 0.08m/s 2
 b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (0.08m/s 2)2 = 0.0064m2 /s 4
II. At 90cm the time duration for 10 swing is 18.90s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.87m/s 2 – 9.845m/s 2 = 0.025m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (0.025m/s 2)2 = 0.000625m2 /s 4
III. At 100cm the time duration for 10 swing is 17.74s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.84m/s 2 – 9.845m/s 2 = -0.005m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (-0.005m/s 2)2 = 0.000025m2 /s 4
IV. At 110cm the time duration for 10 swing is 17.74s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.79m/s 2 – 9.845m/s 2 = -0.055m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (-0.055m/s 2)2 = 0.003025m2 /s 4
V. At 120cm the time duration for 10 swing is 17.74s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.80m/s 2 – 9.845m/s 2 = -0.045m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (-0.045m/s 2)2 = 0.002025m2 /s 4

For ball 2 the calculation is worked as:

I. At 80cm the time duration for 10 swing is 17.77s
a) T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (17.77 s/10)2 = (1.777s)2 = 3.158s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×0.8 m
b) g = 2 = 2 = 9.99m/s 2
T 3.158 s
II. At 90cm the time duration for 10 swing is 18.95s
a) T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (18.95 s /10)2 = (1.895s)2 = 3.593s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×0.9 m
b) g = 2 = 2 = 9.88m/s 2
T 3.593 s
III. At 100cm the time duration for 10 swing is 19.95s
a) T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (19.95 s /10)2 = (1.995s)2 = 3.98s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×1 m
b) g = 2 = 2 = 9.91m/s 2
T 3.98 s
IV. At 110cm the time duration for 10 swing is 21.04s
a) T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (21.04 s /10 )2 = (2.104s)2 = 4.426s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×1.1 m
b) g = 2 = 2 = 9.80m/s 2
T 4.426 s
V. At 120cm the time duration for 10 swing is 21.93s
a) T2 = (T 10 /10 )2 = (21.93 s /10)2 = (2.193s)2 = 4.81s2
2 2
4 π l 4 π ×1.2 m
b) g = 2 = 2 = 9.84m/s 2
T 4.81 s
 So, from this the average acceleration due to gravity is:

5 2 2 2 2
1 m/s +¿ 9.91m/ s +9.80 m/ s +9.84 m/s
gav = ∑ gi = 9.99 m/s +9.88
2
¿ = 9.884m/s 2
5 i=1 5
I. At 80cm the time duration for 10 swing is 17.74s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.99m/s 2 – 9.884m/s 2 = 0.106m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (0.106m/s 2)2 = 0.001124m2 /s 4
II. At 90cm the time duration for 10 swing is 18.95s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.88m/s 2 – 9.884m/s 2 = -0.004m/s 2
 b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (-0.004m/s 2)2 = 0.000016m2 /s 4
III. At 100cm the time duration for 10 swing is 19.95s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.91m/s 2 –9.884m/s 2= 0.026m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (0.026m/s 2)2 = 0.000626m2 /s 4
IV. At 110cm the time duration for 10 swing is 21.04s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.80m/s 2 –9.884m/s 2 = -0.084m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (-0.084m/s 2)2 = 0.007056m2 /s 4
V. At 120cm the time duration for 10 swing is 21.93s
a. Deviation = (g-gav) = 9.84m/s 2 –9.884m/s 2 = -0.044m/s 2
b. Square deviation = (g-gav)2 = (-0.044m/s 2)2 = 0.001936m2 /s 4

Discussion:
With fellow members the following concepts are interpreted during discussion:
There are two main points related to acceleration due to gravity. These are time period and
length other than these also we tried to identify if there is any relation between mass and
acceleration due to gravity. concerning the main concepts, time square and acceleration
due to gravity have an inverse relation in which when the time square increase
acceleration due to gravity decrease and when the time square decrease acceleration due to
gravity increase. The other one is length, in this case the length of the rope. the length and
acceleration due to gravity have direct relation as comprehended from the above result
which is when the length of the rope increase the acceleration due to gravity also increase
because proximity toward the centre of earth increase as length increase and when the
length of the rope decrease acceleration due to gravity also decrease. off these two
concepts we tried to identify if there is any relation between the mass and acceleration due
to gravity because the experiment is performed using two different bobs by mass. from the
outcomes and calculations performed above using different mass we realized that there is
no change observed on the value of acceleration due to gravity caused by mass and we
tried to cross check the above comparison by using the following form which is;
2
4π l
g= T
2

Conclusion:
In conclusion, our experiment exploring the local acceleration due to gravity using a
simple pendulum has provided valuable insights into the fundamental principles of
gravitational forces. Our meticulous data collection and analysis have allowed us to derive
a precise value for the local acceleration due to gravity, enhancing our understanding of
the Earth's gravitational impact. By measuring the period of oscillation and the pendulum's
length, we were able to calculate the acceleration due to gravity, yielding a reliable and
localized value reflective of our specific experimental conditions. The systematic
observation of the pendulum's motion and subsequent data analysis have reinforced the
fundamental correlation between the period of oscillation and the local acceleration due to
gravity, validating its influence on the pendulum's behaviour. Furthermore, our findings
align closely with the theoretical expectations and empirical estimations, highlighting the
validity of our experimental approach. This exploration has not only deepened our
comprehension of gravitational phenomena but also emphasized the practical application
of pendulum experiments in gauging local gravitational forces with accuracy. The
consistency and coherence of our results signify the successful execution of the
experiment, bolstering our confidence in the principles underlying local acceleration due
to gravity. Ultimately, this experiment has elucidated the intricate interplay of gravitational
forces and pendulum dynamics, underscoring the practical significance and applicability
of these principles within the realm of physics and scientific inquiry. Collectively, our
experimental analysis serves as a testament to the robustness and reliability of our
methods, reinforcing the foundational concepts of local acceleration due to gravity and
their manifestation within the context of a simple pendulum.