Physical Pendulum Lab.
Purpose.
To calculate g or the acceleration due to gravity using the period of a physical pendulum.
Materials.
Meter Stick, Stand, Blocks and Clamps, Photogate, CBL Unit, Calculator, Paper Clip and Clay :)
Procedure.
Measure the period of the pendulum using the photogate timer. Linearize the data to find g.
T = 2pi(I/mgd)^(1/2)
T = 2pi[(1/12mL^2 + md^2)/mgd]^(1/2)
T = 2pi[(1/12L^2 + d^2)/gd]^(1/2)
T = 2pi/g^(1/2)*[(1/12 + d^2)/d]^(1/2)
T = 2pi(I/mgd)^(1/2)
T = 2pi[(1/12mL^2 + md^2)/mgd]^(1/2)
T = 2pi[(1/12L^2 + d^2)/gd]^(1/2)
T = 2pi/g^(1/2)*[(1/12 + d^2)/d]^(1/2)
Results.
m=1.8745=2pi/g^(1/2)
g=11.2354 m/s^2
Since g on Earth is actually 9.81 m/s^2, my result had an error of 14.69% possibly due to imprecise lab equipment (although using a paper clip, clay and blocks to rig the pendulum was quite entertaining).
g=11.2354 m/s^2
Since g on Earth is actually 9.81 m/s^2, my result had an error of 14.69% possibly due to imprecise lab equipment (although using a paper clip, clay and blocks to rig the pendulum was quite entertaining).