KATERS PENDULUM

Introduction
Katers pendulum (Figure1) consists of a long metallic rod R of circular cross section weighted at one end so that the center of mass is much nearer to one end. To do this, a heavy metallic cylinder W1 and an identical wooden cylinder W2 are placed at the two ends of the rod. It has two movable knife edges K1 and K2. A much smaller metallic cylinder W is kept at the middle of the rod. All the five can be moved along the rod and fixed at any position using screws. The labeled diagram of Katers pendulum is shown in Figure 1. This configuration ensures that the Center of gravity lies near one of the knife edges.

W2 K2

R l2 W G l1 K1 W1

Figure 1: Katers Pendulum

 G - Center of gravity R - Metallic rod K1, K2 - Movable knife edges W1 - Metallic cylinder W2 - Wooden cylinder W1, W2 are to be placed beyond K1and K2 and can be moved along R W - metallic weight to be kept near the center of rod and can be slided for adjustments

Apparatus
Katers Pendulum Telescope Stop watch Meter scale Sharp wedge Rigid support

Theory
Katers pendulum is a Compound pendulum based on the principle that the centre of suspension and centre of oscillation are interchangeable. The movable cylinders, knife edges and the metallic weight are so adjusted such that the time periods of the pendulum about the two knife edges situated asymmetrically with respect to the center of gravity are exactly equal. Then, the distance between the knife edges is equal to the length of equivalent simple pendulum whose time period is given by (refer to Equation (5), Bar pendulum)

L and T = 2 g Hence, g may be calculated.

4 2 L g= T2

We resort to Bessels approximation where we require making the two time periods to be nearly equal because it is quite difficult and time-consuming to set the Katers pendulum so that the time period becomes exactly equal about two points. If T1 and T2 represent two nearly equal time periods (in sec) for positions of K1 and K2 distant l1 and l2 (in cm) from C.G., then we can write(refer to Equation (3), Bar pendulum)

l1 + k 2 T1 = 2 gl1

and

l2 + k 2 . T2 = 2 gl2

gl1T1 2 and = l1 + k 2 2 4 Subtracting and rearranging we obtain

Hence,

gl2T2 2 = l2 + k 2 2 4
2 2

8 2 T1 + T2 T1 T2 + = (l1 + l2 ) (l1 l2 ) g
2 2

Since T1~T2 and positions of K1 and K2 are asymmetrical about C.G, l1-l2 is fairly large. Hence, the second term in the denominator is negligibly small and thus, an approximate value of l1-l2 is sufficient. Therefore, 8 2 g= 2 (1) 2 2 2 T1 + T2 T1 T2 + (l1 + l 2 ) (l1 l 2 ) where g = Acceleration due to gravity in cm/s2 T1 = Time period about K1 in seconds T2 = Time period about K2 in seconds l1 = Distance of K1 from C.G. in cm l2 = Distance of K2 from C.G. in cm

Learning Outcomes
This experiment will enable you: 1. To determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) using Katers pendulum. 2. To verify that there are two pivot points on either side of the centre of gravity (C.G.) about which the time period is the same. 3. To determine the length of the equivalent simple pendulum.

Pre-lab Assessment
Choose the correct answer:

(1) Example/s of compound pendulum is/are a) Bar pendulum b) Katers pendulum c) both a and b d) none of the above (2) The oscillatory motion is a) always periodic b) periodic as well as bounded c) only bounded d) none of the above

(3) About how many points, the time period of a compound pendulum is same? a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5 (4) The factors that cause damping is/are a) friction at the point of suspension b) viscosity of air c) none of the above d) both (a) and (b) (5) The value of g a) b) c) d) changes randomly changes definitely according to some relation is constant everywhere can not be predicted

Procedure
Method 1 (Equalization of time periods)

1. Determine the middle point of the rod and fix the smaller metal weight W there. Fix the brass weight W1 near one end of the Katers pendulum (5 cm from end 1) and the knife edge K1 just below it (at a distance of about 2 cm). 2. Similarly, adjust the wooden weight W2 and the knife edge K2 at the other end (end 2) of the pendulum with the same symmetry. The metallic and wooden cylinders are placed at different ends to eliminate viscous drag of air and to make the C.G. asymmetrical about the knife edges .Screw all the five tightly. Knife edges must be sharp, horizontal and parallel to each other so that the oscillations are confined to a vertical plane 3. Suspend the pendulum vertically about K1 and focus the telescope at the tip of its lower end. Set it oscillating with amplitude of about 4-5 degrees for the motion to remain simple harmonic. Note the time for 30 oscillations using a stop watch. 4. Now suspend the pendulum vertically about K2 and repeat step 3.This time will be quite different from that about K1. 5. Keep moving K1 and K2 towards W by small distance (approx. 1 cm) and repeat steps 3 and 4 till the difference in time about K1 and K2 is less than one second. If at any stage the time difference increases, then K1 and K2 should be moved towards W. 6. Now, move the weight W and repeat step 5 to reduce the time difference to about 0.5 second. 7. The apparatus is ready to record the measurements. Suspend the pendulum about K1 and K2 vertically and record the time taken for 100 oscillations. Repeat this 5 times each. 8. Remove the pendulum from support and place it horizontally on a wedge. Balance it and find the C.G. of the system.

9. Measure the distances l1 and l2 from C.G. to the knife edges K1 and K2.
Method 2 (Graphical method)

10. Here, after the initial adjustments (steps1-2), measure the time for 30 oscillations about K1 and K2. Balance the pendulum on the wedge to mark the C.G. Then measure l1 and l2. 11. After this, move K1 and K2 by 2 cm each towards the center of the rod. 12. Again measure the time for 30 oscillations about K1 and K2, Mark the C.G. and measure l1 and l2. 13. Repeat the process 8-9 times by moving K1 and K2 towards each other in steps. Repeat step 12.

Observations
Least count of meter scale = ------ mm Least count of stop watch = ------ sec
Method 1 (Equalization of time periods)

Table 1

S.No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

No. of oscillations (n) 30 (t1-t2~0.3 s) 50 (t1-t2~0.5 s) 100 (t1-t2~1s) 100 100 100 100

Time (t1) about K1 (s)

Time (t2) about K2 (s)

T1=t1/n (s)

T2=t2/n (s)

(T1-T2) (s)

Method 2 (Graphical method) Table 2

S.No.

No. of oscillations (n) 30 30 30 30

Time (t1) about K1 (s)

Time (t2) about K2 (s)

T1=t1/n T2=t2/n Distance of (s) (s) K1from CG (l1)

Distance of K2from CG (l2)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Calculations
Method 1 (Equalization of time periods) (when T1 ~ T2)

T1 = ------ sec T2 = ------ sec l1 = ------ cm l2 = ------ cm Substitute in the Equation (1) and obtain the value of g.

Method 2 (Graphical method)

Draw a graph (Figure2) of l1 v/s T1 and l2 v/s T2 on the same graph sheet.

Graph of l1 v/sT1 and l2 v/sT2

1.85 Time period (about k 1, k2 in sec.)

1.8

T1x

Line 1x

1.75

T1y l1x
25 30

Line 1y l2y
35 40 45 50 Distance from CG (l1, l2 in cm)

1.7

l1y

l2x
55 60

Figure 2: Graph between time period and distance from c.g.

Draw two horizontal lines (line 1x and line 1y, as shown in the graph in Figure 2) on the graph intersecting the two experimental lines. To find g1, use T1 = T2 = T1x, l1 = l1x and l2 = l2y in Equation (1) and obtain g1. To find g2, use T1 = T2 = T1y, l1 = l1y and l2 = l2y in Equation (1) and obtain g2. Find mean g= (g1 + g2) / 2
Estimation of error Maximum log error

g=

8 2 2 2 2 2 T1 + T2 T1 T2 + (l1 + l2 ) (l1 l2 )

Differentiating logarithmically, we have

g
g where

(X + Y )
X +Y
T1 + T2 (l1 + l2 )
2 2 2 2

(2)

X=

and

T T2 Y= 1 (l1 l2 )

X
X

T1 2 + T2 2
T1 + T2
2 2

) + (l

+ l 2 ) 2 T 2 l + l1 + l 2 T l1 + l 2
1

Since T1 ~T2. Here T corresponds to the smallest division of the stop watch and l to the smallest division of the meter scale. Thus, X can be evaluated.
4T1 T 2 l + 2 2 Y l1 l 2 T1 T 2 Using above equation Y can also be calculated. The values of X, Y, X and Y may g then be used to find using Equation (2) and hence, the log error. g =

Also,

Percentage error

The percentage error can be calculated as Standard value calculated value Percentage error = ----------------------------------------------100 standard value where Standard value = 981 cm/s2 Calculated value = g

Result
The value of acceleration due to gravity g as calculated in the lab is (--------- max. log error) cm/s2

Glossary
Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity with time. Acceleration due to gravity: The acceleration imparted to freely moving bodies towards the center of earth by the attractive gravitational force of the earth; its value varies with latitude and elevation. Center of gravity: The point in a material body through which the resultant force of gravitational attraction acts. Center of mass: The point in a material body or system of bodies which moves as though the systems total mass was concentrated at that point and all external forces were applied at the point. It is also known as the center of inertia. Center of oscillation: The point in a physical pendulum, on the line through the point of suspension and the center of mass, which moves as if all the mass of the pendulum were concentrated there. Center of suspension: The intersection of the axis of rotation of a pendulum with a plane perpendicular to the axis that passes through the center of mass. Compound pendulum: A rigid body of any shape capable of oscillating about a horizontal axis passing through it. Gravitational force: The attractive force between any two objects that have mass. Least count: The smallest measurement which can be accurately made using an instrument. Moment of inertia: The sum of the products formed by multiplying the mass of each element of an object by the square of the distance of the element from a specified axis. Oscillation: Any effect that varies periodically back and forth between two values. Radius of gyration: The square root of the ratio of the moment of inertia of a body about a given axis to its mass. Rigid body: A solid body in which the particles are arranged so that the inter-particle distances remain fixed and are not disturbed by any external forces applied Simple pendulum: A device consisting of a small massive body suspended by an inextensible object of negligible mass from a fixed horizontal axis about which the body and suspension are free to rotate. Simple harmonic motion: A periodic motion about an equilibrium position for which the displacement is a sinusoidal function of time. The acceleration of the object is always directed towards the equilibrium position and is proportional to the displacement from that point. Telescope: An assemblage of lenses or mirrors or both that enhances the ability of the eye to see distant objects with greater resolution. Time period: Time taken to complete one oscillation of a periodic motion.

Post-lab Assessment
Choose the correct answer

(1) When the distance of the point of suspension from the centre of gravity increases, the time period of a compound pendulum a) increases b) decreases c) remains constant d) first decreases then increases (2) As we go down below the surface of earth, the value of g a) increases b) decreases c) first increases then decreases d) does not change (3) The difference in the value of g at equator and poles is equal to a) radius of earth (R) b) angular velocity of earth () c) R d) R2 (4) If we interchange the center of suspension and center of oscillation, the time period of compound pendulum a) increases b) decreases c) remains same d) cannot be predicted (5) The length of an equivalent simple pendulum is equal to a) the distance of the point of suspension from C.G. b) radius of gyration (k) c) (k2+l2)/l d) infinite (6) Which instrument is expected to give more accurate value of g? a) simple pendulum b) Katers pendulum c) bar pendulum d) mass spring system (7) The time period of a compound pendulum about its C.G. is a) zero b) infinite c) finite d) unpredictable (8) The time period of compound pendulum will be minimum when a) l = k

b) l = k2 c) l > k d) none of the above (9) With altitude the acceleration due to gravity g a) increases b) decreases c) remains constant d) cannot be predicted

Answers to Pre-lab Assessment

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. c b c d b

Answers to Post-lab Assessment

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. d b d c c b b a b