ME 302

DYNAMICS OF MACHINERY
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS
EXPERIMENT I. SIMPLE PENDULUM
INTRODUCTION
Simple pendulum is simply a concentrated mass m attached to one of the ends of a
mass-less cord of length l, while the other end is fitted as a point of oscillation, such that the
mass is free to oscillate about that fixed point in the vertical plane.
For simple pendulums a spherical steel ball is supported by a length of nylon thread
gripped at the top end none of the small chucks. Drawing the thread through the chuck, hence the
variations in periodic time against variations in length investigated can alter the length-of
pendulum. A spherical beech wood ball may be substituted for the steel bob to illustrate that the
period of oscillation is independent of the mass of the bob.
OBJECTIVES
1)The independence of the period of oscillation of the simple pendulum from its mass.
2) The relationship between the period of oscillation and its length.
3) The determination of the value of the gravitational acceleration g, to be compared with the
known standard value.

CALCULATIONS
The period of oscillation , is defined as the time required to complete one full cycle of motion
or one oscillation. By observing the function (t), the period is given as:

T=periodic time
L = Length of Pendulum (m)
g=acceleration due to the gravity.(9.791 m/s2 for Gaziantep )
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Steel and wooden balls are used separately in this experiment as follows:
1) Attach the cord to the steel ball at one end, and attach the other end to the main frame.
Record the length of the cord l.
2) Displace the ball form its neutral position by a small amount, and then release it to oscillate
freely. Measure and record the time T required to complete ten oscillations.
3) Adjust the cord length to a new value and repeat step-2.
4) Repeat Step-3 six more times so that seven pairs of l and T are recorded.
5) Replace the steel ball with the wooden ball and repeat steps-1 through 4.
Sample Results for steel ball
T (s)
T2(s)
L(m)

Sample Results for wooden ball

T (s)
T2(s)
L(m)

QUESTIONS
1) A simple pendulum swings with a period of 1.5 s. What would the period of the pendulum be
if the length of its string were doubled, the mass of its bob were cut in half, and the force of
gravity were doubled?
2) Evaluate the theoretical period corresponding to each length L. Then Compare theoretical
and experimental period values.
4) Draw the pendulum period 2 versus the length of the pendulum. Find g and compared with
Standard value.
5) Why did we use two masses with identical geometries for the simple pendulum experiment?