When

Approximations Fail

Purpose: To compare the theoretical and experimental relationship between the
angular speed and angle from which the pendulum was dropped.

Procedures:

1. Set up Vernier rotary sensor and logger pro.
2. Drop the pendulum from a certain angle and observe its amplitude and
angular speed. Amplitude is equivalent to the angle from which it was
dropped. Testing smaller angle values is preferable.
3. Experimentally determine the point in which the angular speed seems to
deviate from the theoretical formula, given by the formula,

!
!

4. Remember to record the distance from the pendulums axis of rotation to the
mass of the pendulum.

Pre-lab Questions:

1. Calculate the expected frequency of oscillation for small angle oscillations of the
pendulum. Assume that g is exactly known to be 9.81m/s2.

= 3.50 rad/s
2. Based on the results of the fit. What is the observed amplitude of the pendulum
and theAssociated uncertainty (expressed in degrees)? What is the observed
angular frequency and associated uncertainty (expressed in radians per second)?

Amplitude Value (including uncertainty): .4.516 +/- .012 degrees

Angular Frequency (including uncertainty): 3.501 +/- .0 rad/s
3. Assume that the data presented in Figure 3.4 were collected using the same
pendulum as the one described in Exercise 1. How does the observed frequency
compare to the frequency calculated in the previous exercise? Are the two
frequencies compatible with one another?
Compatible. The uncertainty of exercise 1 is .02 rad / s, and the experimental
value 3.501 rad/s fall within the uncertainty range. As a result, the
frequencies are compatible

Data:

Distance from the pendulums axis of rotation to the mass: 0.725 +/- 0.0001

Angular Frequency plotted against

Amplitude
Angular Frequency (rad/sec)

3.682
3.68
3.678
3.676
3.674
3.672
3.67
3.668
3.666
3.664
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

Amplitude (rad)

!!

Error Propagation Formula: = ! !

Theoretical Angular Frequency:

!
!

= 3.678 +/- .0025 rad/s

Conclusion:



In this lab, we observed the variation in angular frequency depending on the
amplitude. In theory, since angle is not part of the equation in finding angular
frequency, we can assume that the angular frequency will remain consistent at all
angles. However, as our experiment proves, the angular frequency decreases as the
angle increases.

In this lab, we experimentally determined the point at which we observed a
significant change in the angular frequency. This occurred when we increased the
angle from approximately .07 radians to .08 radians, where we observed an angular
frequency drop from 3.679 to 3.670 rad/s. The trials prior to this point did not
demonstrate a significant drop, which led us to conclude that the exact point which
the angular frequency deviates from the model must exist between .08 - .70 radians.

According to the uncertainty of our theoretical angular frequency value,
3.678 +/- .0025 rad/s, we should expect to observe a significant change in angular
frequency when the angle is 3.678 - .0025 = 3.6755 rad/s, which is very close to our
observed value, 3.670 rad/s. This shows that our data is very accurate.

Furthermore, we observed that the angular frequency continued to decrease
as the angle was increased, which does not obey the theoretical model.

A significant random error in this experiment was the inconsistent path of
the pendulum, which often went off course. To alleviate this error, we could choose

to use an expensive pendulum that stays on course at all times, or use a creative
release-mechanism that will ensure a consistent path. One systematic error in this
lab is the possible stretch on the string, which when released may vary the length at
which the pendulum moves. In order to alleviate this error, we could use a
specialized string that is designed not to stretch.