Simple Pendulum PDF - Biophysics Practical

# Biophysics "practical one" There are 7 basic things that we will need in any experiment we do: 1. **Aim:** What is the goal of the experiment? 2. **Tools:** What equipment will we be using for this experiment? 3. **Theory:** What are the scientific principles that underpin this experiment? 4. **...

# Biophysics "practical one" There are 7 basic things that we will need in any experiment we do: 1. **Aim:** What is the goal of the experiment? 2. **Tools:** What equipment will we be using for this experiment? 3. **Theory:** What are the scientific principles that underpin this experiment? 4. **Table:** What data will be collected and how will it be organized? 5. **Steps:** What is the procedure for carrying out this experiment? 6. **Graph:** How will the collected data be visualized? 7. **Results:** What conclusions can be drawn from the data? ## Simple Pendulum ### Aims 1. Study the types of motion of a simple pendulum. 2. Study simple harmonic motion 3. Study acceleration due to gravity using simple pendulum ### Tools: 1. Massless and inextensible string 2. Stopwatch 3. Metallic ball 4. Ruler 5. Tripod stand ### Theory: 1. **Definition of motion**: the position of an object changes over a certain period of time. 2. **Various types of motion**: - **Transitional motion**: motion in a straight line without any divergence. - **Circular motion**: when the object moves in a circular path constantly. The object's speed should be constant here. - **Periodic motion**: This motion is similar to oscillatory motion which means that the motion keeps repeating itself after equal time intervals. * We are going to study a specific type of periodic motion called **simple harmonic motion** ### Simple harmonic motion Periodic motion is a special type of simple harmonic motion. It has a special characteristic. * **Restoring Force**: This force is proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position but in the opposite direction. - Let's say I move a pendulum from its equilibrium position (X). The pendulum will return to its equilibrium point after some time. Force acted on the pendulum is called restoring force. - The restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement. (The larger the displacement, the larger the restoring force). - Note that the direction of the restoring force is opposite to the direction of the displacement. **Where can we see this phenomenon?** If I move the pendulum to position ( *δ* ) and study the force acting on it... * The force that makes the pendulum return to the equilibrium position is the resultant of the tension (T) and gravitational force (mg) * The restoring force is a component of the gravitational force acting on the pendulum. ## Calculating the value of "g" using a simple pendulum **Note that**: The equation for calculating the acceleration due to gravity using a simple pendulum is: $$g = 4\pi^2\dfrac{L}{T^2}$$ - First, I need to measure the length (L) of the pendulum. - Then I need to measure the time period (T). - Once I have both measurements, I can plug them into the equation and solve for g. To get the value of g, I need the following: - **Time period (T)**: This can be measured directly for one complete oscillation of the pendulum. - **Length (L)**: This can be measured with a ruler. **I need to take several measurements of the time period and length to minimize error. I can then calculate g using the average values of the measurements. ** **Conclusion**: I can then analyze the data to determine the value of "g". **Note**: This is just a theoretical explanation, the actual value of "g" may vary depending on the location and other factors.