Simple and Compound Pendulum

SIMPLE AND COMPOUND
PENDULUM APPARATUS
Simple and Compound Pendulum Apparatus
The Equipment sent to a customer may have some differences from the above picture, mainly depending on
options from their selections and our continuing improvement of products
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NOTE:
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this manual is accurate;
however no liability is accepted for errors. Should an error be discovered please inform the
company in writing, giving full details. Any experimental results given are for guidance only and
are not guaranteed as exact answers that can be obtained for a given apparatus; due to the
complex variables applicable to most experiments.
The basic principles set out in the following make no claim to completeness. For further
theoretical explanations, refer to the specialist literature.
The selection of experiments makes no claims of completeness but is intended to be used as a

stimulus for your own experiments. The results shown are intended as a guide only.
Depending on the construction of the individual components, experimental skills and

environmental conditions, deviations may occur in the experiments.
Nevertheless, the laws can be clearly demonstrated.
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Table of Contents
Page
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 1
2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................... 2

2.1 Unit Assembly ............................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Specification ............................................................................................................... 2
3. SUMMARY OF THEORY ............................................................................................ 3

3.1 Simple Pendulum ........................................................................................................ 3
3.2 Compound Pendulum.................................................................................................. 4
3.3 Kater's Pendulum ........................................................................................................ 8
4. EXPERIMENTS ............................................................................................................ 9
4.1 Experiment1; Simple Pendulum ................................................................................. 9
4.2 Experiment 2; Compound Pendulum .......................................................................... 10
4.3 Experiment 3; Kater's Pendulum ................................................................................ 11
APPENDIX A Experiment Data Sheet

APPENDIX B Typical Experimental Result
APPENDIX C Sample Calculations
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1 INTRODUCTION:
The Simple & Compound Pendulum Apparatus enables student to calculate the time
period of Simple Pendulum and the time period of Compound Pendulum
A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. When a
pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting equilibrium position, it is subject to a
restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position.
When released, the restoring force combined with the pendulum's mass causes it to
oscillate about the equilibrium position, swinging back and forth. The time for one
complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing, is called the period. A pendulum swings
with a specific period which depends (mainly) on its length.
A rigid body with distributed mass able to freely pivot about a horizontal axis which does
not coincide with the centre of gravity is called a compound pendulum.
When the dimensions of the suspended body are not negligible in comparison with the
distance from the axis of suspension to the center of gravity, the pendulum is called a
compound, or physical, pendulum. Any mass mounted upon a horizontal axis so as to
vibrate under the force of gravity is a compound pendulum. The motion of such a body is
an angular vibration about the axis of suspension. The expression for the time period of a
compound pendulum may be deduced from the general expression for the time period of
any angular simple harmonic motion.
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2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
2.1 Unit Assembly:
4 1
1. Balancing Pin 2. Rod

3. Pendulum Bob 4. Pin for thread
2.2 Specification:
Simple Pendulum:
Mass of Wooden Bob = 60 g

Dia. of Wooden Bob = 50 mm
Mass of Metal Bob = 70 g

Dia. Of Metal Bob = 25 mm

Dia. of Metal Bob = 50 mm
Compound Pendulum:

Dia. of Metal Bob = 50 mm
Length of Rod = 1000 mm

Mass of Rod = 410 g
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3 SUMMARY OF THEORY:
3.1 Simple Pendulum:
A simple pendulum, in its simplest form, consists of heavy bob suspended at the
end of a light inextensible and flexible string. The other end of the string is fixed.
L = Length of the string

M = Mass of the bob in kg
W = weight of the bob in Newtons
Θ = Angle through which the string is displaced
When the bob is at A, the pendulum is in equilibrium position. If the bob is

brought to B or C and released, it will start oscillating between the two Positions
B and C with A as the mean position. It has been observed that angle Ѳ is very
small (Less than 40), the bob will have simple harmonic motion. Now the couple
tending to restore the bob to the equilibrium position or restoring torque,
T = m.g.sin θ x L
Since angle θ is very small, therefore θ = θ radians.
T = m.g.L.θ
We know that mass moment of inertia of the bob about an axis through the point
of suspension,
= =
I mass x (length)2 m.L2
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Angular acceleration of the string,
T m.g.L.θ g.θ
α= = =
I m.L2 L
or
θ L
=
α g
Angular Displacement L
=
Angular Accelelration g
We know that periodic time,
L
t p = 2π
g
From above we see that the periodic time of a simple pendulum depends only
upon its length and acceleration due to gravity. The mass of the bob has no effect
on it.
3.2 Compound Pendulum:
Consider the uniform rigid rod AB shown in Figure below
Its centre of mass is at G when unloaded and it is pivoted at O, where OG = h. A

mass M is fixed to the rod at a distance l from O along AB. If the rod is displaced
by an angle φ from the vertical, the restoring torque τ is given by,
τ = − ( mh − ML ) g.sin ϕ (1)
This torque produces an angular acceleration, α, and is related to it by,
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τ = Iα (2)
Where I is the moment of inertia of the loaded rod about a horizontal axis through
O such that,
I=I o + mh 2 + ML2 (3)
Where I 0 is the moment of inertia of the unloaded rod about an axis through G. I o
is given by,
I o = mk 2 (4)
Where k is the corresponding radius of gyration
Substitute in Equation (3) in (4) we get,
I = m(k 2 + h 2 ) + ML2 (5)

τ = −mgh sin φ (6)
Substituting using Equations (6) and (5) in Equation (2) the following relation is
obtained,
−(mh + ML) g sin ϕ= [m(k 2 + h 2 ) + ML2 ]α
This can be rearranged to give,
+
( mh + ML ) g sin ϕ =
0 (7)
mK 2 + ML2
Where
K=
2
k 2 + h2
For small angles, sin (φ) ≈φ (in radians) so that Equation (7) becomes,
+
( mh + ML ) gϕ =
0
mK 2 + ML2
This is in the form,
∂ 2φ
− Constant 2φ =
0 (8)
∂t2
Which implies that Equation (8) represents simple harmonic motion (SHM). The
corresponding period is given by,
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2π
T=
constant
Where from Equation (8),
Constant =
( mh + ML ) g
(mK 2 + ML)
Thus the periodic time is given by,
(mK 2 + ML2 )
T = 2π
(mh + ML) g
(mK 2 + ML2 )
T = 4π
2 2
(mh + ML) g
m 2 2
M K + L 
T 2 = 4π 2   (9)
m 2
M h+ L  g
 
For a simple pendulum the period for small oscillations is given by,
Lo
To = 2π
g
or
Lo
To2 = 4π 2 (10)
g
A simple pendulum with a period T = T o for the compound pendulum would have
a length L o (called the equivalent length) that can be obtained by equating
Equations (9) and (10), yielding,
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m 
4π 2  K 2 + L2 
 = 4π Lo
2
M
m  g
 M h + L g
 
m 2 2
M K + L 
Lo =   (11)
m 
 M h + L
 
The above Equation (11) may be written as,
m 2 2
(
M h +k +L 
2
)
Lo =  

m 
h+L
 M 
m, M, and k are fixed. If h is also kept fixed then as L is varied, L o will also vary.
Hence L o is a function of L.
We conclude that
Lo
To = 2π
g
3.2.1 Final Formulas:
T = 2π
( mK 2
+ ML2 )
( mh + ML ) g
Where the “k”
L
k=
12
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3.3 Kater's Pendulum:
Kater’s pendulum is a physical pendulum composed of a metal rod upon which

are mounted a sliding metal weight W1, and W2, and two sliding knife edges
K1 and K2 that face each other. Each of the sliding objects can be clamped in
place on the rod. The pendulum can suspended and set swinging by resting either
knife edge on a flat, level surface. The weight W2 is the same size and shape as
the weight W1. Its function is to provide as near equal air resistance to swinging
as possible in either suspension. The arrangement of the pendulum is done in a
manner so that the time period of the pendulum remain same when swing in
reverse position.
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4 EXPERIMENTS:
4.1 Experiment 1; Simple Pendulum:
Objective:
To calculate the time period of simple pendulum and compare it with the
theoretical values
Procedure:
1. Take a long string and tight the bob on its one end.
2. Then tight the string with pin on wall mounted pendulum apparatus.
3. Deflect the bob from its original position by keeping string tight.
4. Take a stop watch to note the time.
5. Released the bob and instantly start the stop watch.
6. Note the time of 20 oscillations and calculate the time period by using formula
Time Period = (Time of total Oscillation) / Total number oscillations

(This time period will be practical time period)
7. Repeat the procedure 2 to 3 times and take the average time period.
8. Reduce the length of the string and repeat the same procedure.
9. Compare it with theoretical values.
Observations:
Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

1
2
3
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4.2 Experiment 2; Compound Pendulum:
Objective:
To calculate the time period of Compound pendulum and compare it with the
theoretical values
Procedure:
1. Measure the mass of the bob and Steel Rod.

2. Find the center of gravity of Rod.
3. Mount the knife edge on the Rod and insert in the slot of the wall mount
pendulum apparatus.
4. Measure all the above define parameters (L, h, m, M) according to diagram.
5. Then tight the mass (bob) on the other end of the Rod.
6. Take the bob from its original position to point B or C.
7. Take a stop watch to measure total time of oscillation.
8. Released the bob and instantly start the stop watch.
9. Note the time of 20 oscillations and calculate the time period by using formula

(This time period will be value).
10. Repeat the procedure 2 to 3 times and take the average time period.
11. Change the positions of the mass and knife edge on the Rod and repeat the
same procedure.
12. Compare it with theoretical values.
Observations:
Time Period Time Period

Sr. # L h
(Theoretical) (Practical)
1
2
3
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4.3 Experiment 3; Kater's Pendulum:
Objective:
To calculate the time period of Kater's pendulum
Procedure:
1. For the purposes of this experiment the support 02 is moved until the two
periodic times are equal.
2. For this purpose, the long rod pendulum (L = 1000mm) is provided with the
two additional masses m1 and m2 as well as two knife-edge bearings. The
positions can be seen from the adjacent diagram.
3. Starting from a bearing distance of x = 500 mm the figure is increased in 10
mm increments and the periods of oscillation measured at both bearings.
4. To increase measurement accuracy, a stopwatch is used to measure the time
taken for 20 oscillations.
Observations:
Measured value for reversible pendulum

Periodic times for 20 oscillations
Distance x Time, support O1 Time, support O2
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APPENDIX A
Experiment Data Sheet
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Experiment 1

1
2
3

1
2
3

1
2
3

1
2
3

1
2
3

1
2
3

1
2
3
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Experiment 2

Sr. # L h
1
2
3

Sr. # L h
1
2
3

Sr. # L h
1
2
3

Sr. # L h
1
2
3

Sr. # L h
1
2
3

Sr. # L h
1
2
3
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Experiment 3





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APPENDIX B
Typical Experimental Results
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Experiment 1; Simple Pendulum:

1 0.60m 1.55s 1.515s
Experiment 2; Compound Pendulum:

Sr. # L h
1 0.620 0.120 1.31 1.2801
Experiment 3; kater's Pendulum:

Distance x Time, support O 1 Time, support O 2
500 28.97 31.62
510 29.21 31.02
520 29.09 29.87
530 29.16 29.41
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APPENDIX C
Sample Calculations
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Experiment 1; Simple Pendulum:

1 0.60m 1.55s 1.515s
Experimentally:
Time of 20 oscillations = 30.3 s
Time Period = 30.3/20
Time Period = 1.515s
Theoretically:
L = Length of the string = 60 cm

g = Gravitational acceleration = 9.81 m/s2
Seconds
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Experiment 2; Compound Pendulum:

Sr. # L h
1 0.620 0.120 1.31 1.2801
Experimentally:
Time of 20 oscillations = 26.20 s
Time Period = 26.20/20
Time Period = 1.31s
Theoretically:
Where the “k”
L= 1 m
m = 0.3891 kg
M = 0.5162 kg
h = 0.120 m
l = 0.620 m
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Simple and Compound Pendulum

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SIMPLE AND COMPOUND

The selection of experiments makes no claims of completeness but is intended to be used as a

Depending on the construction of the individual components, experimental skills and

Nevertheless, the laws can be clearly demonstrated.

2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................... 2

3. SUMMARY OF THEORY ............................................................................................ 3

APPENDIX A Experiment Data Sheet

2.1 Unit Assembly:

1. Balancing Pin 2. Rod

Mass of Wooden Bob = 60 g

Mass of Metal Bob = 70 g

Mass of Metal Bob = 500 g

Mass of Metal Bob = 520 g

Length of Rod = 1000 mm

3.1 Simple Pendulum:

L = Length of the string

When the bob is at A, the pendulum is in equilibrium position. If the bob is

Since angle θ is very small, therefore θ = θ radians.

Angular acceleration of the string,

We know that periodic time,

3.2 Compound Pendulum:

Consider the uniform rigid rod AB shown in Figure below

Its centre of mass is at G when unloaded and it is pivoted at O, where OG = h. A

This torque produces an angular acceleration, α, and is related to it by,

I=I o + mh 2 + ML2 (3)

Where k is the corresponding radius of gyration

Substitute in Equation (3) in (4) we get,

I = m(k 2 + h 2 ) + ML2 (5)

−(mh + ML) g sin ϕ= [m(k 2 + h 2 ) + ML2 ]α

This can be rearranged to give,

This is in the form,

Where from Equation (8),

The above Equation (11) may be written as,

3.2.1 Final Formulas:

3.3 Kater's Pendulum:

Kater’s pendulum is a physical pendulum composed of a metal rod upon which

4.1 Experiment 1; Simple Pendulum:

Time Period = (Time of total Oscillation) / Total number oscillations

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

4.2 Experiment 2; Compound Pendulum:

1. Measure the mass of the bob and Steel Rod.

Time Period = (Time of total Oscillation) / Total number oscillations

Time Period Time Period

4.3 Experiment 3; Kater's Pendulum:

To calculate the time period of Kater's pendulum

Measured value for reversible pendulum

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

Sr. # Length of String Time Period (Theoretical) Time Period (Practical)

Time Period Time Period

Time Period Time Period

Time Period Time Period

Time Period Time Period

Time Period Time Period

Time Period Time Period

Measured value for reversible pendulum

Measured value for reversible pendulum

Measured value for reversible pendulum

Measured value for reversible pendulum