MUHAMMAD HILMAN BIN HAZMI (201780668)

DISCUSSION

Based on the experiment wooden pendulum, our objective been achieved which is to determined
moment of inertia of the wooden pendulum by oscillation. The first one is at the center of gravity
while the other one is moment of inertia at suspension point. Then we divided wooden pendulum
into 2 point that act as the axis for the pendulum to oscillate. All the values of mass moment of
inertia at the center of gravity, IG and at the suspension point, IO have been determined according
to the experiment and theory. The values of IOA, IGA, IOB and IGB are experimentally
determined by taking time for 10 complete oscillation of the wooden pendulum on different
angle for each suspension point. Comparing all the values of IOA, IGA, IOB and IGB in
theoretical and experimental calculation, it is found out that each value is slightly different from
each other.

The percentage error between the theoretical and experimental values can be observed in table.
The difference in values may be caused by several errors during the experiment and calculation.
During the experiment, we found out there are errors identified that affects the results. Even
though the experimental and theoretical result give us a gap, we still can consider the results are
still valid. The value k is different compare to the theoretical value because of errors as below:

 Human error – This experiment is conducted by human so there must be some error in
terms of readings and procedure. Parallax error is one of the most common errors in
conducting the experiment and then, the handling of stopwatch timing is not accurate.

 Apparatus error – The apparatus used is not reliable because one of the parts of the
apparatus (protractor) is gone but the angle still can be obtained by using the protractor
which is drawn by pencil.

 Environment factors –This factor slightly can be taken as a minor cause of the error.
The experiment been rans out in a very conducive laboratory but possibilities of the
present of blowing wind must be considered.

This error affected the result of the experiment. We have to avoid these kind of error to make our
result more accurate and decrease the percentage error.
CONCLUSION

From this experiment, we obtained the experimental value is slightly different to the theoretical
value. We could conclude that point A have smaller moment of inertia compare to point B. This is
because point A have bigger hole compared to point B. This will cause the ý is bigger so that will
produce bigger moment of inertia. From the discussion above, we found out the reading is not
accurate. We should minimize the parallax error (reading been taken parallel to the eyes). To obtain
more accurate result we must reduce the error and I suggested we conducted the experiment in a
vacuum. Furthermore, the value by taking readings more than 2 or 3 times and get the average.
Since the percentage error is less 10%, we can conclude the experiment is success and the objective
of the experiment is achieved.