Module 11
Pendulum
Module 11
Pendulum
Calculate the acceleration of gravity at CCVALG:
1 – Press the pedal with your foot.
2 – Record the initial count displayed on the counter.
3 – Use a stopwatch (for example, on your phone) and measure a time interval of your choice (no longer than 5 minutes).
4 – Once the time interval has ended, record the counter reading after the elapsed time.
5 – Subtract the two counts (final value – initial value) to obtain the number of pendulum oscillations during the time interval.
6 – Use a calculator (e.g., on your phone) to determine the pendulum period, that is, the duration of one complete oscillation, and to calculate the acceleration of gravity at the pendulum’s location using the following formula:
g = 4π²L / T²
Where L is the length of the pendulum - in this case 2677±0.5 mm - and T is the pendulum period you have just calculated.
A simple pendulum consists of an inextensible string attached to a support, with a mass of negligible dimensions at its end, which can move freely. The mass is subjected to a restoring force caused by gravity, allowing the calculation of the local acceleration due to gravity where the pendulum is located.
There are many types of pendulums studied by physicists, as they are described as objects with easily predictable motion and have enabled numerous technological advances, especially in simple harmonic systems.
Some examples include the physical pendulum, torsion pendulum, conical pendulum, Foucault pendulum, double pendulum, spiral pendulum, and Kater’s pendulum. However, the simplest and most widely used model is the simple pendulum.