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Shourya Yadav

Arpita Ray

Physics HL

15th March 2022

Physics Mock IA: How Does the Length of a Simple Pendulum Affect its Time Period?

Introduction: -

A simple pendulum is a mechanical device, consisting of a string and a weight. The string is

anchored at a fixed point, allowing the weight to oscillate freely under the influence of

gravity. Simple pendulums have multiple applications, most notably related to timekeeping.

The pendulum was discovered by Galileo in 1586 (Britannica, 2021), as he compared a

swinging lamp to his pulse rate. Later in 1656, Dutch mathematician Christiaan Huygens

invented the pendulum clock, greatly increasing the accuracy of timekeeping. (Gersten,n.d)

Building on this, French musician Étienne Louilié invented the metronome, a device similar

to the pendulum that is used by musicians to tell the tempo, or speed of a piece. As a

drummer, a lot of my practice relies on time keeping, so I am more than familiar with

metronomes.(Gersten, n.d)
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A metronome works using an adjustable weight on an oscillating metal rod, with different

markings along the length to denote different BPM (Beats Per Minute), similar to the time

period of a simple pendulum. To set a BPM, the weight is moved up or down the rod,

effectively reducing the length of the pendulum. This shows a relationship between the length

of a pendulum and the time period of its oscillation.

Therefore, my experiment will attempt to test and re-establish this relationship, through

examining the behaviour of a simple pendulum.

Research Question :-

How Does the Length of a Simple Pendulum Affect its Time Period?

Theory and Hypothesis :-

My hypothesis is that as the length of a pendulum increases, so will the time period.
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A simple pendulum is made up of a mass m suspended from a length L string and fixed at

a point. When the pendulum is displaced to an initial angle and then released, it will swing

back and forth with the periodic motion. (Byjus, 2021)

Using Newtons Second Law of Motion, we can infer that –

F=−mgsinθ

If we assume θ to be ≤ 15°, we can assume that sinθ = θ , therefore,

F=−mgθ

Now, if we assume L to be the radius of a circle, the arc s could be expressed as:

s= Lθ

s
¿ θ=
L

Substituting θ in the previous equation, we get

mg
F=−s
L

This can be rephrased as F=−kx , where

mg
k=
L

Since a simple pendulum is a harmonic oscillator, we can now use the formula T =2 π
√ m
k
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√
m
T =2 π
When the value of k is now substituted, we get mg
L

¿ T =2 π
√ L
g

This derivation supports my hypothesis of a direct relationship between the length and time

period of a pendulum, as the equation implies that an increase in length will increase time

period.

Expected Graph

The expected graph would have a linear trend passing through the origin. The graph

would also have a gradient roughly equal to 4, as if the equation for the time period of a

2 2 L x
pendulum is squared, we get T =4 π . If L is the x value, and T2 is the y value, then =
g y

4 π2
= 4.03.
9.81
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Variables

Independent Variable – The effective length of the string of a pendulum, measured

at intervals of 10cm, from 0cm to 70cm, with a least count of 0.1cm and reading uncertainty

of ±0.05cm.

Dependent Variable – The time period of the pendulum. Measured using a

stopwatch with a least count of 0.01s, and an uncertainty of ±0.01s.

Controlled Variables –

 Ambient Wind – To prevent the pendulum swaying due to wind, the

experiment was conducted inside a closed physics lab with the fans and air

conditioners off.

 Initial angle – As we assume the sin of the initial angle to be negligible, the

initial angle was kept lower 15°

 Bob – The length of the bob must be constant, as we are measuring the

effective length of a pendulum

Apparatus

 Meter Ruler (±0.05cm)

 Cork

 Stopwatch (±0.01s)

 Clamp Stand

 Metal Bob

 1m String

 Marker

 Vernier caliper (±0.005cm)

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Procedure –

1. Set up the clamp stand, placing the cork in the clamp. Make sure the clamp and cork

are stable and secure.

2. Make sure there’s no source of wind in the surroundings, such as open windows,

running fans, air conditioners, and so on.

3. Measure the length of bob, using the vernier caliper.

4. Measure and mark the string at intervals of 10cm, starting from 0cm, to 70cm, using

the ruler and marker. Make sure to leave some space before the 0cm marking, to

attach the metal bob.

5. Attach the metal bob to the string, making sure to tie it right at the 0cm mark.

6. Pull the thread through the cork, lining up the intended interval for measurement

directly at the lower end of the cork.

7. Pull the bob to an initial angle that’s approximately lower than 15° and release it.

8. Wait for one complete oscillation and start the stopwatch when the second oscillation

begins.

9. Wait for 10 complete oscillations, then stop the watch.

10. Take a note of the values, then repeat steps 6 – 8, 6 times.

11. After completing 6 readings, repeat steps 5 – 9 for the remaining intervals.

12. Process and graph the collected data. (Remember to add the diameter of the bob to the

length of the string to get effective length)

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Raw Data –

Length of string Time period for 10 oscillations (m)

(m) T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
0.1 7.32 7.28 7.3 7.47 7.52 7.17
0.2 9.78 9.81 9.79 9.75 9.78 9.74
0.3 11.78 11.88 11.88 11.97 11.81 11.78
0.4 13.44 13.19 13.38 13.37 13.4 13.25
0.5 14.97 14.84 14.87 14.94 14.85 14.8
0.6 16.22 16.19 16.28 16.19 16.28 16.17
0.7 17.47 17.29 17.22 17.44 17.21 17.32

Diameter of Bob = 2.71 cm

Processed Data

The average value of the time period per oscillation can be taken by 0.1 ׿ )

This would lead to the absolute uncertainty for Taverage = ±0.001s

Since we are using T2 to get a linear relationship between T and L, the absolute uncertainty

for T2 is ±0.002s

For L, the diameter of the bob must be added to the length of the string, therefore 0.027m

must be added to all L values. Since the bob was measured with a vernier caliper with a least

count of 0.02mm, the absolute uncertainty for the diameter of the bob is ±0.00001m and can

be considered negligible. Therefore, the absolute uncertainty of L is still 0.05cm, or 0.0005m

Effective Length of Pendulum Time Period2

(m ± 0.0005m) (s2 ±0.002s)
0.127 0.54
0.227 0.96
0.327 1.40
0.427 1.78
0.527 2.21
0.627 2.63
0.727 3.00
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The graph shows a clear linear relationship between L and T2, where T2 = kL, where k = 4.12.

The graph and data correspond to my hypothesis, as a linear proportion between T 2 and L is

clearly established.

The gradient of the graph is established as 4.12. If we go back to our original equation for

2 2 L
time period, T =4 π , we see that k should be roughly equal to 4, if we substitute g as
g

9.81. The value for k is 4.03 in our theoretical equation, therefore we have an error of 0.09.

This discrepancy can be due to several factors, such as the random error created while timing

the pendulum, as well as the systematic error of being unable to consider factors such as air

resistance.

The percentage error for the gradient therefore is

experimental value−theoretical value

¿ ∗100 .
theoretical value

This gives us the value of 2.23% error.

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Along with this, there is a 0-error, as the y intercept is at -0.0281m. A portion of this can be

explained by the 0-error taken while measuring the length of the pendulum, with an added

0.0271m being taken for the bob. When the aforementioned information is taken into

consideration, the new y intercept is at -0.001m. While this is still a fairly significant error, it

can be attributed to the uncertainty while taking readings on the length of the string.

The R2 value is also extremely high, at 0.9995, which suggests a very strong trend. This

implies a high precision in the experiment.

Evaluation –

Strengths –

 The experiment shows high precision.

 Random error is minimized, through the use of several trials, as well as

allowing the experimenter more reaction time by only measuring the

second oscillation onwards.

 The results of the experiment strongly support the hypothesis, as well

as the predictions made with the equations.

Weaknesses –

 The experiment could have been more accurate, as there were a few

systematic errors.

 The experiment does not take into consideration certain factors such as

the elasticity of the string, as well as non-linear movement.

 The experiment did not accurately measure the initial angle of the

pendulum, leaving room for error.

 There is likely some random error while measuring the time period as

well as the length.

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Improvements –

 Random error could be further minimized by using a electronic system,

such as a photoresistor to measure time period

 The initial angle could be measured to ensure accurate reading.

Further Investigation – A further investigation could consider factors like the

extension of the string, as well as type of bob used. An experiment that could prove

the mass independence of a pendulum, to establish that we do not need to take the

mass of the pendulum as a variable, could help further solidify the results of this

experiment
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Bibliography

Admin. “Simple Pendulum - Time Period, Derivation, and Physical Pendulum.” BYJUS,

BYJU'S, 20 Sept. 2021, https://byjus.com/jee/simple-pendulum/

Britannica, Editors. “Pendulum.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

https://www.britannica.com/technology/pendulum

Gersten, Jennifer. “The Beat Goes on: A Short History of the Metronome: WQXR Editorial.”

WQXR, https://www.wqxr.org/story/beat-goes-history-metronome/

Unknown, Unknown. Harmonic Motion, n.d.,

http://labman.phys.utk.edu/phys221core/modules/m11/harmonic_motion.html