~Contents~

Introduction -------------------------------------------
1

Aim ------------------------------------------- 2

Task Specification -------------------------------------------

3

Problem Solving -------------------------------------------

4 – 15

Further Exploration -------------------------------------------

16 – 19

Conclusion ------------------------------------------- 20

Acknowledgements -------------------------------------------
21
 ~Introduction~
Time is a component of a measuring system used to
sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the
intervals between them, and to quantify the motions of objects.
Time has been a major subject of religion, philosophy, and
science, but defining time in a non-controversial manner
applicable to all fields of study has consistently eluded the
greatest scholars.
There are many ways to measuring time; some ancient
methods include using a sundial, or an hourglass. A pendulum can
also be used as a basis for measuring time. A simple pendulum
consists of an object, usually a pendulum bob, suspended by a
string from a fixed point. When displaces, and then released, the
bob will swing back and forth in a vertical plane under the
influence of gravity. This periodic motion can be used as a basis to
determine time.
In this project work, I will focus on using the simple
pendulum to measure time, with the help of some mathematical
knowledge.

Photo 1: A sundial is an ancient method

Photo 2: Another
for measuring time
way to measure
time is using an
hourglass 2
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 ~Aim~
The aims of carrying out this project work are to:

i) Develop mathematical knowledge in a way which

increases students’ interest and confidence;

ii) Apply mathematics to everyday situations and to begin to

understand the part that mathematics play in the world
we live;

iii) Improve thinking skills and promote effective

mathematical communication;

iv) Assist students to develop positive attitude and

personalities, intrinsic mathematical values such as
accuracy, confidence, and systematic reasoning;

v) Stimulate learning and enhance effective learning

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 ~Task Specification~
Identifying and stating all required information

Figure 1

The simple pendulum shown in Figure 1 is set in motion by

releasing the object through a small angle of displacement, (10
to 15 ) from the vertical.

Procedure:

1. A simple pendulum is set up as shown in Figure 1 by

attaching an object to a string of length 60cm.

2. The pendulum is set in motion and the time taken, t s is

measured for 20 complete oscillations.

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 3. The period, T s, that is the time taken for one complete
oscillation is calculated.

4. Steps (1) to (3) are repeated using at least 10 different

lengths of strings with the minimum length of 5 cm.

5. The readings are recorded in a suitable table.

6. A graph of period (T s) is plotted against length ( ). The

graph obtained is commented.

~Problem Solving~
Results from the conducted experiment:

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 Length of Number of Time taken for number of Period, T
pendulum complete complete oscillation, t (s) (s)
, l (cm) oscillation 1st 2nd Average
(x) Attempt Attempt
60 20 32 32 32.0 1.600
55 20 30 31 30.5 1.525
50 20 29 29 29.0 1.450
45 20 27 27 27.0 1.350
40 20 26 26 26.0 1.300
30 20 23 23 23.0 1.150
20 20 19 19 19.0 0.950
15 30 25 25 25.0 0.833
10 30 21 21 21.0 0.700
5 30 17 17 17.0 0.567

The Relationship between Period, T and length, l

The relationship between period and length is shown by the given

formula:

The gravitational acceleration, g is not a variable, it is a constant.

Therefore the variables in the following formula are T and .

(a)Suggest at least two pairs of variables for the horizontal and

vertical axes to obtain a linear relation.
For each pair, plot the graphs to draw the lines of best fit
manually and by using ICT.

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 To obtain a linear equation, the equation above can be
squared to form a linear equation.

The two pairs of variables are:

(i) T and ( T as the y-axis and as the x-axis)
(ii) and ( as the y-axis and as the x-axis)

In order to draw the graphs of these two pairs of variables, we

need to find the vales of and .

Period, T Length of (cm)

(s) pendulum, (cm)
1.600 2.560 60 7.746
1.525 2.326 55 7.416
1.450 2.103 50 7.071
1.350 1.823 45 6.708
1.300 1.690 40 6.325
1.150 1.323 30 5.477
0.950 0.903 20 4.472
0.833 0.694 15 3.873
0.700 0.490 10 3.162
0.567 0.322 5 2.236

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Graph of against

Graph of against

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Drawing the graphs manually
i. Graph of T against

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ii. Graph of against

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 (b)Estimating the gradients of both graphs

From the graph T against , we can find that the equation is

0.188x+0.115.From the formula , we can determine the
gradient if we compare the formula to the equation obtained.
Therefore, the gradient of the graph is 0.188. The equation
relating the period and the length is T = 0.188

From graph T2 against , we find that the equation is y = 0.041x +

0.112. From the formula , we can determine the
gradient if we compare the formula to the equation obtained.
Therefore, the gradient of the graph is 0.041. The equation
relating the period and the length is T 2 = 0.041 + 0.112

(c) Determining the value of the gravitational acceleration,

using the gradient of each graphs.

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(i) From the graph T against √l,

or

T = y-axis
= x-axis

So gradient =

To find the value of gravitational acceleration, g ms-2

Since 1116.663 is in cm s-2, we have to change it into m s-2 by

dividing the value by (10 x 10 = 100). We get 11.17 m s-2. This
value is bigger than the original value of 9.807 m s-2.

Value of obtained from the experiment = 11.17

Value of actual value of = 9.807

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Difference = 11.17 9.807
= 1.363

Percentage of error =
= 13.898%

Comment:
The value obtained from the experiment is higher by 1.363 from
the actual value of g, which is 9.807. The reason is the
experiment not conducted in an enclosed system, therefore,
many factors can influence the accuracy of the results obtained,
such as air movement, and air resistance.

(ii) From the graph of against

or

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 = y-axis
= x-axis

So gradient =

To find the value of gravitational acceleration, m s-2,

Since 986.96 is in cm s-2, we have to change it into m s-2 by

dividing the value by (10 x 10 = 100). We get 9.87 m s -2. This
value is a little bigger than the original value of 9.807 m s-2.

Value of obtained from the experiment = 9.87

Value of actual value of = 9.807

Difference = 9.87 9.807

= 0.063

Percentage of error =
= 0.642%

Comment:
If compared with the first graph, the percentage of error is much
smaller. The first value of obtained is slightly higher than the
actual value of , but the second value of obtained is a bit
higher than the actual value. This is probably caused by the
presence of air resistance. Another probable cause of the
deviation of the value from the actual value is that the pendulum
bob did not oscillate in a plane but in a circle.

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 (d)Using the graph with the least percentage of error to
determine the length of the string that will produce a
complete oscillation in 1 second.

The graph with the least percentage of error is the graph showing
against .

The relationship between period and length is:

When = 1,

25.00cm is the length of string that will produce a complete

oscillation in 1 second.

Using a Simple Pendulum to Calculate the Pulse Rate

1. A simple pendulum is made out of a 25.00cm string ( to

ensure that 1 oscillation is equivalent to 1 second)
2. A friend is asked to count the number of oscillation

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 3. He is asked to give instructions when to start and stop (after
30 oscillations).
4. The counting of the pulse is started when he says start and
stopped when he says stop after 30 oscillations.
5. The process is repeated 3 times to get the value, Paverage.
6. The pulse rate = Paverage x 2.

Change in the Period, if the length of the string in increased by 4

times.

When l is increased by 4 times,

=
Substitute into the equation,

Since

Then,

Therefore, when the length of the pendulum is increased by 4

times, the period increases by 2 times.

~Further Exploration~

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Determining the new period if the pendulum is set in motion on
the moon

Gravitational field strength of the moon, gmoon = 1.622ms-2

Period of pendulum on Earth, TEarth =1s
Gravitational acceleration of the Earth, gEarth = 9.807 ms-2
Period of pendulum on the moon, TMoon = TMoon

Technique of solving:
Using simultaneous equation

Solve (1) and (2) simultaneously

Investigating whether a pendulum will continuously swing in air

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A pendulum cannot swing continuously swing in air due to
damping. Damping is defined as loss of energy to the
surroundings, usually in the form of heat energy. In air, there is air
resistance, which induces friction upon the swinging pendulum
bob. This causes the energy in the pendulum bob to be loss in the
form of heat energy, hence damping occurs. This results in the
pendulum swinging slower and slower. For the pendulum to
become a perpetual machine (swing continuously), it has to swing
in complete vacuum.

Conditions for the pendulum to swing continuously:

- No hinge friction
- In a vacuum
- No internal friction

Comparing the time taken for the pendulum to stop in water with
the time taken for the pendulum to stop in air.

Time taken for the pendulum to complete one oscillation in water:

T1 = 4s
T2 = 5s
T3 = 4s

TAverage = 4.33s

Time taken for the pendulum to complete one oscillation in air:

T1 = 1.55s
T2 = 1.32s
T3 = 1.62s

TAverage = 1.50s

Based on the values above, the time taken for the pendulum to
make a complete oscillation in air is shorter, if compared to the
time taken for the same pendulum to make a complete oscillation
in water.

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This is due to the water resistance and the buoyant force of the
water acting on the pendulum bob, thus making the pendulum
bob swing slower, as the water resistance is stronger to
overcome, compared to air resistance.

Comparing the motion of the pendulum in air, water and in a

vacuum

In Air

In water

In Vacuum

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Comparing and contrasting the graphs

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 ~Conclusion~
A pendulum can be used to measure time, as shown and proven
in the experiment I conducted. The period, time taken for a
complete oscillation can be calculated using the formula below:

The period of the pendulum swinging in air and in water varies, as

the water resistance is stronger, compared to air resistance.

The pendulum is not affected by gravity, but due to internal

resistance, hinge resistance and air resistance, it is not able to
oscillate continuously, i.e becoming a perpetual machine.

As shown in the experiment, the pendulum is quite a reliable

instrument to calculate time, but is not used, as the process of
calculating time using a pendulum is very complex.

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 ~Acknowledgements~
I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to my
teacher, Mr Annuar Ali for her wonderful guidance for me to be
able to complete this project work, to my parents for their
continuous support to me throughout this experiment, to my
friends for their help, and to all those who contributed directly or
indirectly towards the completion of this project work.

Throughout this project, I acquired many valuable skills, and hope

that in the years to come, those skills will be put to good use.

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