Question

make a one paragraph lab report

Answer 1

We measured the acceleration due to gravity by timing the period of a simple pendulum at three lengths to test the theoretical relation T = 2π√(L/g). Using a small bob on a low-friction pivot, we recorded the time for 10 oscillations at L = 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 m (five trials each) and computed average periods of 1.42, 1.73 and 2.01 s, respectively; plotting T^2 versus L and fitting a line gave a slope of 4.03 ± 0.05 s^2/m, which yields g = 4π^2/(slope) = 9.78 ± 0.12 m/s^2 (0.3% below the accepted value 9.81 m/s^2). The results support the theoretical relationship between period and length; remaining discrepancy likely arose from small-angle deviations, timing reaction error, and air resistance, so repeating trials, using smaller amplitudes and electronic timing (photogates) would reduce uncertainty.