How does the length of a simple pendulum affect its time period of its oscillation?

Personal Engagement
My parents have owned an old grandfather clock since I was a child and I have always loved watching the
pendulum swing. In physics lessons we learned about simple harmonic motion and it made me think more
carefully about the pendulum in our clock. How is it related to time and accurate time keeping? Why are all the
grandfather clocks so tall? This is the reason I decided to look into the physics of pendulums and their relationship
with time. These clocks were one of the first ways humans had of keeping an accurate record of the time and this
facilitated the industrial revolution and global commerce.
A few sentences about why you chose this research question, design, implementation, or presentation. Address a
personal interest, show creativity, initiative or independent thinking.

Introduction/Background Information
The fact that we can set up a constant time period for the oscillation of a pendulum that will not change as the
displacement of the swing decreases or the mass of the pendulum changes, but only depends on the length of the
pendulum (“the Physics Classroom,” n.d.) had a major impact on society, as accurate and reliable time keeping
became the norm. It allowed for the accurate navigation of sailing ships and the setting up of train timetables.
(“History of Technology,” n.d., pp 33)This allowed for people and goods to be more easily and widely transported
around countries and the world.

My research on this topic has proved that there is a clear relationship between the length of a simple pendulum
and the period of oscillation. The relationship can be expressed in the equation

equation 1.

where T is the period, l is the length of the pendulum and g is the gravitational field strength. (“the Physics
Classroom”, n.d., pp 25) From this equation it is obvious that the period of oscillation of the pendulum is directly
proportional to the square root of the length of the pendulum. If the length is doubled the period will increase by
1.41 times. There for I would expect a graph of the period squared T2, with respect to the length of the pendulum
to be a straight line through the origin.

Give the necessary background including information such as equations with defined symbols to understand
the investigation. Communicate very clearly to your peers. State a HYPOTHESIS include any research to
show what value/relationship is expected or what your slight change will be to previous research. Reference
all you information. Include research into alternative methods and why you chose the method you did. If
collecting own data, a minimum two resources used and properly cited, at least one must be from a
reputable science journal. If using secondary data, a minimum of five sources must be used in order to have
validity in the study.

Focused Research Question:

1. State the questions you hope this study will answer, be Specific.

How does changing the length of a simple pendulum, of constant mass, from 0.10m to 1.00m in
0.10m increments affect the period of oscillation?

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Discussion of Variables
Independent Variable: The length of the The range of lengths is from 0.10m to 1.00m in 0.10m
pendulum from increments. A metre rule of 1mm precision will be used to
pivot to centre of ensure an uncertainty of ± 0.0005𝑚.
mass.
Find the centre of mass of the pendulum bob and mark it
then using the pendulum as a plumb line to keep the metre
rule vertical measure the length needed and marked the
correct point on the string where the pivot point should be
placed.

Dependent Variable: The period of The pendulum will be displaced by a small angle and
oscillation of the released. The stop watch will be started when the pendulum
pendulum. subsequently reaches one amplitude. Ten full oscillations
will be timed and recorded in order to find the average
period.The limiting uncertainty here is the human reaction
time of the timer ± 0.3 s which when I divide the time by 10
to get the period will also be divided by 10 to give an
absolute uncertainty of ± 0.03 s for the period.

Controlled Variables: Mass of the The mass of the pendulum bob was 75.0g ± 0.1g and as it
pendulum. was made of metal it did not change during the
experiment.The string had a negligible mass of 1.1g for
1.00m to 0.8g for 0.10m. Mass measured using the
electronic balance stated below.
Room temperature Temperature measured using a mercury in glass
was 18oC and did thermometer of precision ± 0.1 oC.
not change.
Initial amplitude of Provided the angle displacement of the pendulum is small
swing the initial amplitude has minimal effect on the time period
(“The pendulum”, Michael Fowler, pp 2). It was decided to
fix the initial amplitude by using an initial angle of swing of
10 degrees

Materials
Quantity Absolute Percentage
Material
measured uncertainty uncertainty (Max)
Stop watch 15.0s to 40.0s ±0.01s (±0.3s) ±2%
Calibrated metre rule, metres 0.0100m to 0.9500m ±0.0005m ±5%
Electronic balance, kg 0.100kg to 1.000kg ±0.001kg ±1%
Mercury in Glass Thermometer 18.0oC to 20.0oC ±0.1oC ±0.6%

Set square 90o ±0.5o ±0.6%

Safety considerations
The only safety concern is the hazard of being hit by the pendulum bob, especially if you bend over to better
judge the point of maximum displacement and bring your eye near to the pendulum. It is advisable to wear
eye protection. There are no ethical or environmental concerns associated with this experiment.

Experimental method
Number the steps with explanations as necessary. Include a labelled diagram.
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 Diagram 1: Experimental equipment and set up.

First measure and record the room temperature and make sure there are no draughts that will affect the swing
of the pendulum. The mass of the pendulum bob and string are measured on the electronic balance and
recorded. The equipment is then set up as shown in diagram 1 and the swing of the longest length pendulum
is checked to ensure that it can swing freely for the required 10 oscillations without hitting anything. Remove
the pendulum and determine the centre of mass of the bob and mark it with a line. Lay the metre rule on the
desk and tape it to stop it moving. Use the set square to line up the zero of the metre rule with the line for the
centre of mass of the pendulum bob and carefully tape the bob in place. Stretch out the pendulum string
along the metre rule and tape it in place. Use a marker to mark the string at 10cm, 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, etc up
to 1.00m. Place two coins either side of the string at the 10cm mark such that the pendulum is 10cm in length
and then clamp the coins in place. Ensure the spare string is moved out of the way. Displace the pendulum
bob by approximately 10o from the equilibrium position and release. Wait until the bob returns to the starting
position and start the timer. Count 10 full oscillations and then stop the stop watch. Record the time and
repeat the process another 4 times. Change the two coins either side of the string to clamp at the 20cm mark
such that the pendulum is 20cm in length and then clamp the coins in place. Repeat the procedure used to
find the time for 10 oscillations and repeat to gather sufficient data. Continue until all lengths of pendulum
have been tested.

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Results
Minimum range of 6 data sets and repetition of 3 - 5. Aim for just one table with Raw data then processed
data.
Uncertainty in Average Uncertainty
Time for 10 swings t /s ± 0.3s Average
Length L average Time Period of in average
Time for 10
/m for 10 swings ± Oscillation
swings tave Period ±ΔT
(± 0.001m) t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 Δtave T
/s /s /s
/s
0.100 6.4 6.5 6.3 6.2 6.3 6.3 0.3 0.63 0.03
0.200 9.1 9.0 9.1 8.9 9.0 9.0 0.3 0.90 0.03
0.300 11.1 11.0 10.9 11.1 11.0 11.0 0.3 1.10 0.03
0.400 12.7 12.5 12.8 12.6 12.7 12.7 0.3 1.27 0.03
0.500 14.2 14.1 14.0 14.4 14.2 14.2 0.3 1.42 0.03
0.600 15.6 15.5 15.7 15.4 15.5 15.5 0.3 1.55 0.03
0.700 16.7 16.8 15.5 15.3 16.8 16.2 0.7 1.62 0.07
0.800 18.1 18.0 17.8 17.9 17.9 17.9 0.3 1.79 0.03
0.900 19.4 19.9 18.8 19.5 18.8 19.3 0.4 1.93 0.04
1.000 20.1 20.2 19.9 20.2 20.0 20.1 0.3 2.01 0.03
Table 1: Raw data for length of pendulum and time for 10 swings and processed data of Average period of
oscillation.

Length L Average Period Uncertainty in Average Period of Uncertainty in

/m of Oscillation T /s average Period ± ΔT Oscillation Squared T2 average Period
(± 0.001m) /s /s2 Squared ΔT2
/s2

0.100 0.63 0.03 0.40 0.04

0.200 0.90 0.03 0.81 0.05

0.300 1.10 0.03 1.21 0.07

0.400 1.27 0.03 1.61 0.08

0.500 1.42 0.03 2.02 0.09

0.600 1.55 0.03 2.40 0.09

0.700 1.62 0.07 2.60 0.2

0.800 1.79 0.03 3.20 0.1

0.900 1.93 0.04 3.70 0.2

1.000 2.01 0.03 4.00 0.1

Table 2: Processed data of Length of pendulum versus Average period of oscillation squared.

Qualitative Observations
Occasionally on longer pendulums above 60cm there was rotation that caused the swing to hit the table after
6 swings. These data were repeated to get 10 full swings. Due to the attachment of the string to the centre of

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the bob there was an angle from the string to the metre ruler when measuring the length. So we increased the
absolute uncertainty in these measurements to ± 1mm. The uncertainty in the average time for 10 swings was
determined by the average deviation from the mean, but as most trials gave values that were less than the
absolute uncertainty of 0.3s they were not used. It was difficult to ensure that we released the bob from 10o
each time as we did not use a protractor. Also as the length got longer the angle of 10o caused us to start the
oscillation at larger displacements!

Data analysis
The metre rule allowed us to measure to an uncertainty of ± 0.5 mm, but due to the difficulty in measuring to
the centre of mass and keeping the string taut I decided that ± 1mm would be more realistic. This would
allow precise data to be collected for the length with a maximum percentage uncertainty of 1%.

Maximum percentage uncertainty in length = (absolute uncertainty/smallest measurement) x 100)

Maximum percentage uncertainty in length = (0.001/0.100) x 100) = 1%

The absolute uncertainty in the time for 10 swings was taken as 0.3 seconds as the limiting factor here was
the human reaction time not the precision of the stop watch. This would allow data to be collected for the
time with a maximum percentage uncertainty of 5%. The average deviation from the mean value of the 5
time measurements was calculated as the uncertainty of the time for 10 swings, but it was smaller than the
0.3s taken for the absolute uncertainty in timing 10 swings so the larger value was used.

Maximum percentage uncertainty in time = ((absolute uncertainty/smallest measurement) x 100)

Maximum percentage uncertainty in length = ((0.3/0.63) x 100) = 4.8%
This is also the maximum percentage uncertainty in the period.
The period of oscillation is found by dividing the time for 10 swings by 10 and the absolute uncertainty of
the period by dividing the uncertainty in the time for 10 swings by 10.
The period squared is found using a calculator and the uncertainty in the period squared is found by
propagating the uncertainty in the period.

Percentage uncertainty in period squared = 2 x percentage uncertainty in the period.

Percentage uncertainty in period squared = 2 x (4.8%) = 9.6% = 10%
Absolute uncertainty in the period squared = Percentage uncertainty in period squared x period squared
Absolute uncertainty in the period squared = 10% x 0.4 = 0.04 s2

The hypothesis suggests that the gradient of the best fit trendline of the graph of period squared with respect
4𝜋2
to length of pendulum would be gradient = 𝜋
= 4.02 m-1s2 where g is taken as 9.81ms-2

The gradient of the best fit trend line is 4.03 m-1s2 This is a percentage difference of

Percentage difference = ((4.03 - 4.02)/ 4.02) x 100 = 0.2%

Example calculation must have uncertainty propagation (or the halfway method if this is bigger) and
comparison to literature value (percentage error calculation).
Calculations must be clear (formula, substitution, units) with relevant assumptions and explanations given,
and have full uncertainty propagation (random error). Calculations are complete once percentage error is
complete (systematic error). Reference the published value.

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Graph 1: The period of oscillation squared with respect to the length of the pendulum.

Discussion
From graph 1 we can see that the data suggests a positive linear relationship between the period of oscillation
squared and the length of the pendulum. Further as the error bars on the data allow the trendline to be placed
through the origin this suggests the relationship may be that period squared is directly proportional to the
length. This would support the theory discussed in my hypothesis and is evidence that the equation there is
correct. The size of the horizontal error bars for length are reasonably small and suggest that the random
error was small enough to give reasonably reliable conclusions. The size of many of the vertical error bars
for period squared are reasonably small and suggest that the random error was small enough to give
reasonably reliable conclusions too, but a few are larger and may not be as reliable. Another factor in
evaluating the reliability of the data is the R2 value. This gives an indication as to how well the best fit line
trendline fits the data collected. The r2 value for this data is 0.99641 which suggests the data is a very good
fit to the trend line that passes very close to the origin and is probable reliable. Equation 1 in the hypothesis
can be transformed into

and so the gradient of the graph should equal

which is very close to the measured value of 4.0 s2m-1 and falls within the minimum and maximum gradients
for our data indicating that our value is consistent with accepted scientific knowledge.

The percentage difference between the equation suggested by the equation and the gradient of the graph 1 is

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 𝜋ℎ𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 − 𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4.2 − 4.0
percentage difference = 𝜋ℎ𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
x 100 = 4.2
x 100 = 4.8%.

This is another indication that the data supports the hypothesis as the percentage difference is below 5%.

The graphs trend lines are either side of the origin as expected due to random experimental uncertainties and
this means that we have no evidence suggesting systematic uncertainties. It is possible that there was a
systematic uncertainty in the length measurement or the timing of the period but the graph would suggest
that if there were it was very small and would not make the data unreliable enough to affect the validity of
the conclusions.
Paragraph 1: State the actual value or result. Explain the relationship of the graph using scientific theory
where appropriate. Discuss the closeness of the result to the expected result/hypothesis, you may use
percentage difference, R2 values. Discuss if the error was more due to random error (uncertainty
propagation) or systematic error (percentage uncertainty).

Paragraph 2: Anomalous results – discuss the data itself, focussing on the points that don’t fit on the line of
best fit. Discuss the degree to which the random error contributed to the uncertainty. Discuss the degree to
which the systematic error contributed to the percentage error. You must have the words in bold actually in
the paragraph.

Evaluation
Have minimum of four of the most significant errors.
Type of
Error and explanation Effect on the calculated final result Solution
error
Use apparatus that would allow
This was a small uncertainty which pointers to mark the centre of
Length of pendulum Random would affect the size of the steepest mass and the position on the
and shallowest trendlines. string with the distance between
them measurable. Figure 2.
As we timed for longer this reduced
the effect of this uncertainty but as
Reaction time of we needed the period squared the Time 20 oscillations to reduce the
Random
human timer propagation of the uncertainty effect of the human reaction time.
doubled it again affecting the size of
the steepest and shallowest trendlines.
Tape the masses together and use
Finding the centre of This would randomly affect the
a knife edge to balance the bob
mass of the Random uncertainty in the length of the
on to find the exact centre of
pendulum bob pendulum.
mass position.

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Modifications to the Original Method

Figure 2. Apparatus to more accurately measure the length of the pendulum.

Conclusion
In conclusion my data and graph suggest that the relationship between the length of a simple pendulum, of
constant mass, and the period of oscillation is given by the formula:

where T is the period, l is the length of the pendulum and g is the

gravitational field strength. From graph 1 we can see that within the bounds of experimental uncertainty The
period squared is proportional to the length of the pendulum and that the graphed best fit trendline is a
straight line which could be drawn through the origin within the uncertainty of the maximum and minimum
slopes. The graph suggests that there is no systematic uncertainty as the steepest and shallowest trend lines
lie either side of the origin. This suggests that random uncertainty in the measurement of the length and time
have had the most effect on the possible trendlines.

Further investigations
As a result of this investigation I would like to test whether the mass of the pendulum bob will affect the time
period of the oscillation. This is important as the air resistance of the swinging body will slow it down and so
it would be prudent to make the mass large to reduce the effect of the air resistance but I would need to know
if the mass has any effect on the period first.
Suggest other experiments that could be done to enhance or further extend what you have done.

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References

“History of Technology.” (n.d.) Paragraph 33. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/history-of-

technology/From-the-Middle-Ages-to-1750 on February 8, 2019.

“The Physics Classroom.” (n.d.). Pendulum Motion. Paragraph 25. Retrieved from
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/waves/Lesson-0/Pendulum-Motion on February 3, 2019.

“The pendulum”. Michael Fowler. Paragraph 2. Retrieved from

http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/152.mf1i.spring02/Pendulum.htm on Friday 22nd March.

A proper reference has the authors, dates, title, journal name, volume and pages. Use a proper referencing
system, preferably APA. List references Alphabetically.

Appendix
Report should not go over 12 pages. If it does make sure it is just the reference and appendix section.

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