Procedure
Real Lab
- Shift the weight W1 to one end of katers pendulum and fix it. Fix the knife edge K1 just below it.
- Keep the knife edge K2 at the other end and fix the wooden weight W2 symmetrical to other end. Keep the small weight 'w' near to centre.
- Suspend the pendulum about the knife edge 1 and take the time for about 10 oscillations. Note down the time t1 using a stopwatch and calculate its time period using equation T1=t1/10.
- Now suspend about knife edge K2 by inverting the pendulum and note the time t2 for 10 oscillations. Calculate T2 also.
- If
, adjust the position of knife edge K2 so that 
.
- Balance the pendulum on a sharp wedge and mark the position of its centre of gravity. Measure the distance of the knife-edge K1 as h1 and that of K2 as h2 from the centre of gravity.
Observations and Calculations
To determine T1 and T2
Distance of K1 from C.G,h1 = ...............m.
Distance of K2 from C.G,h2 =...............m.
Acceleration due to gravity, g =...............ms-2.
Simulation
- Choose desired environment from combo box.
- Select suitable values for mass of wood cylinder and mass of steel cylinder.
- Choose the position of knife edge, steel and wood cylinder by changing the sliders for it.
- After choosing values, place the mouse over wood cylinder, drag and make it to oscillate.
- Note the time for 10 oscillations, by clicking on the ‘START’ and ‘STOP’ button of stop watch.
- Click on ‘STOP’ button under variables, for the pendulum to stop oscillating.
- Click on the ‘Invert’ button to invert the pendulum.
- Again take the time for 10 oscillations.
- Click on ‘Show Measurements’ checkbox to get the value of h1 and h2.
- Repeat the experiment by changing the values in ‘variables’ region.
Note-When you click on the wood or steel cylinder after selecting all the variables, a box appears if the selected values is not applicable.
Result
The acceleration due to gravity at a given place is found to be =...............ms-2.
