EXPERIMENT # 11

Objective:
To determine the acceleration due to gravity by small oscillations of a uniform body by
using compound Pendulum.

Apparatus:
Compound pendulum, support, stop watch, beam compass, meter-rod, spring balance,
graph paper and metallic wedge.

Theory: Diagram:
A compound pendulum is
usually a metal bar about a meter long
having holes drilled along its length
symmetrically on either side of the
centre of gravity. Two similar knife-
edges are inserted in twoholes at
equal distances from the centre of
gravity. When such a pendulum is set
into vinrations such that the distance
of its knife-edges from its centre of
gravity is l, its time period T is given by

T = 2π *{(K2/l)+l}/g]1/2

Where K is the radius of gyration of

the pendulum about its centre of gravity.

Comparing the above equation with the similar equation for a simple pendulum T = 2
π(L/g)1/2, it is clear that factor (K2/l)+l for compound pendulum stands for L in the simple
Pendulum.If the time period of a simple pendulu of length L is exactly equal to theat of a
compound pendulum, then l is called the length of the equivalent simple pendulum for
the compound pendulum and obviously the value of g can be determined by finding the
length of equivalent simple pendulum corresponding to a certain period of the
compound pendulum.
A graph between T and l for a compound pendulum os shown in figure. If a horizontal
line ABCDE is drawn through a given value of T = OC, the lengh of equivalent simple
pendulum is AD = L then g=4 π2L/T2. The radius of gyration K is given by (AC x CD)1/2 and
the moment of inertia of the compound pendulum is mK2 where m is the mass of
pendulum.

Procedure:
1. Balance the compound pendulum on wedge and mark the position of its center of
gravity (C.G)
2. Insert the knife edge A in hole 1 and knife edge B in the corresponding hole 1 of the
pendulum. Allow the pendulum to vibrate about the edge A with small amplitude (about
6cm) and determine its time period by timing 20 vibrations. Similarly determine its
period by allowing the pendulum to vibrate about the edge B.
3. Measure the distance of the knife edge A and that of B from the C.G
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 by inserting knife edges A and B into the holes (2, 2). Proceed in
the same manner with knife edges in other holes leaving one or two holes near C.G
5. Draw a graph between the time period T and the distance l of the knife edge from the
center of gravity (C.G) for both the knife edges on the same graph paper. For this graph
take the Y-axis in the middle of the graph paper and plot the distance of the knife edge
A to the right and the distance of the knife edge B to the left of the origin. Two
symmetrical curves are obtained as shown in Figure. Draw a line ABCDE parallel to X-
axis. The length of the equivalent simple pendulum is L= ½(AD + BE). The time period
corresponding to this length will be T = OC. Determine acceleration due to gravity by the
relation g = 4π2L/T2. Radius of gyration k is given by ½{(AC x CD)1/2 + (CE x BC)1/2}. The
moment of inertia about C.V is mK2. The mass m is determined by weighing the
pendulum with a spring balance.
6. Repeat the step 5 by drawing another line ABCDE and tabulate your observations as
shown:

Observations:
 KNIFE EDGE A
Time for 10 Vibrations (sec) Time Period Distance form
Hole No. 1 2 Mean t/10 C.G (m)
15.79 15.62 15.70 1.57 40
1
2 15.74 15.12 15.43 1.543 35

3 15.23 15.6 15.41 1.541 30

4 15.23 15.15 15.19 1.519 25

5 15.61 15.86 15.74 1.574 20

6 16.51 16.54 16.53 1.653 15

KNIFE EDGE B
Time for 10 Vibrations (sec) Time Period Distance form
Hole No. 1 2 Mean t/10 C.G (m)
26.07 25.86 25.96 2.596 5
1
2 19.31 19.21 19.26 1.926 10

3 16.51 16.54 16.53 1.653 15

4 15.61 15.86 15.74 1.574 20

5 15.23 15.15 15.19 1.519 25

6 15.23 15.6 15.41 1.541 30

Calculations:
Average T2 =3.245

Gravity = 4π2L / T2

Gravity =9.2 ms2

Result:
So, the calculated value of gravity is 9.2ms2 approx. equals to 9.8ms2

Precautions:
 Amplitude of vibration should be small.
 Support should be rigid and its surface be horizontal.
 In each observation, both the edges should be inserted in the corresponding
holes.