Date: ...........................................

1. A simple pendulum is an apparatus that consists of a heavy bob suspended to a fixed point by a light, inextensible string.

2. It is central to the idea that time measurement is based on cycles that repeat on themselves.

3. All time measuring instruments use the same principle as the simple pendulum.

4. The simple pendulum has two main physical quantities associated with it:

a. the mass of its bob

b. its length

5. Measure the mass of the bob using the electronic balance.

Mass of bob = .................................. g [1]

6. By definition, the length of a simple pendulum is the distance between the centre of the bob to the fixed point:

a. State two instruments you will use to measure the length of a simple pendulum.

1. ...........................................................................[1]

Name: ........................................................................

Simple pendulum worksheet

2. ...........................................................................[1]

7. One oscillation is defined as the path OAOBO.

8. The time for the bob to perform one oscillation is called the time period or periodic time, T.

9. To increase accuracy, time for 20 oscillations is usually taken, denoted by t20.

10. The above readings are taken twice to further decrease errors.

11. Then time period is calculated using the equation:

T = t20/20

12. The time period is measured for a fixed pendulum length.

Group Pendulum length/cm

A 100

B 95

C 90

D 85

E 80

Class: ..........................................

13. Record your readings in the table below:

Pendulum length/cm

Time for 20 oscillations

Time period/T/s

t1/s t2/s

...................... ........ .......... .....................

[4]

Additional questions:

A. Give two precautions you took before you measured the mass.

1. ................................................................................

...................................................................................

2. ................................................................................

...............................................................................[2]

B. State one precaution you took while inserting the bob into the balance.

1. ................................................................................

...............................................................................[1]

Reference: Textbook p. ……………

Total marks: 10© Mr. S. Mahady 2016