How to Determine g from a T^2 vs. L Graph

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a lab experiment investigating the relationship between the period (T) of a pendulum and its length (L). Participants are tasked with deriving the acceleration due to gravity (g) from a graph of T^2 versus L, where T is measured in seconds and L in centimeters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how to plot T^2 against L and the implications of the slope of the resulting graph. There are questions about the correct application of the formula relating T^2, L, and g, and how to interpret the slope in terms of g.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to use the slope to calculate g, while others are exploring the implications of their calculations and questioning their results. There is an acknowledgment of the need to consider units and the expected value of g in their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a lab assignment and are required to derive g from their experimental data. There is a mention of calculating percent error based on their findings.

8parks11
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Okay this is the last question of the lab and I don't get it
Basically its a lab where we find how amplitude, bob mass, and length affects the period T for each time.

Our finding was that length affects the period a lot. I did a bunch of graphs and tables and answered all the questions but don't know how I derive this


the question is "From your graph of T^2 vs. L
determine a value for g."

T here is the period in seconds and L is the length of the string in cm. Now I do have to graph and it looks pretty normal to me.


The slope is 0.03900 and the r is 0.9947
now I don't think this would help much at all
(unless its r-slope haha...)

I have to find g from this graph and calculate the percent of error
I know how to calculate the percent of error but I don't know how I can find g from this graph


the points are for x which is length

50
60
70
80
90
100

and for T^2 i have

2.2831
2.4586
2.89
3.3562
3.7288



My first guess was i need to find an equation for this relationship and then
use the formula 4pi^2/g x L = T^2 but I don't know what to do?

plug in what for L? someone please help!
 
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8parks11 said:
Okay this is the last question of the lab and I don't get it
Basically its a lab where we find how amplitude, bob mass, and length affects the period T for each time.

Our finding was that length affects the period a lot. I did a bunch of graphs and tables and answered all the questions but don't know how I derive this


the question is "From your graph of T^2 vs. L
determine a value for g."

T here is the period in seconds and L is the length of the string in cm. Now I do have to graph and it looks pretty normal to me.


The slope is 0.03900 and the r is 0.9947
now I don't think this would help much at all
(unless its r-slope haha...)

I have to find g from this graph and calculate the percent of error
I know how to calculate the percent of error but I don't know how I can find g from this graph


the points are for x which is length

50
60
70
80
90
100

and for T^2 i have

2.2831
2.4586
2.89
3.3562
3.7288



My first guess was i need to find an equation for this relationship and then
use the formula 4pi^2/g x L = T^2 but I don't know what to do?

plug in what for L? someone please help!
As you said, the equation is T^2 = {4 \pi2 \over g} L . So if you plot T^2 vs L, you should get a straight line. The slope of this line will be equal to what?
 
wait I don't get it a lot.
so for the x-axis I get all the L (from 50~100) and then just leave it.
for the y, I should use T^2 = {4 \pi2 \over g} L and then subsitute all the L from the x data. that would gimme T^2
but I don't think this is right because I'm getting 4.028 as my slope
 
8parks11 said:
wait I don't get it a lot.
so for the x-axis I get all the L (from 50~100) and then just leave it.
for the y, I should use T^2 = {4 \pi2 \over g} L and then subsitute all the L from the x data. that would gimme T^2
but I don't think this is right because I'm getting 4.028 as my slope
:confused: You measured the period for different values of L, right? Just plot your measured values of T^2 versus L. Then use theory to determine what the slope should be equal to. Theory will give you a relation between the slope of this graph and the value of g. Once you measure the slope on your graph you will be able to determine g from your data.
 
ok so the slope of my line of T^2 vs L is 0.0390.

since 4pi^2/g=slope g should be 4pi^2/slope...


so the predicted g is 4pi^2/ 0.0390

and this gives me 1012.267... what is wrong?
 
Last edited:
8parks11 said:
ok so the slope of my line of T^2 vs L is 0.0390.

since 4pi^2/g=slope g should be 4pi^2/slope...


so the predicted g is 4pi^2/ 0.0390

and this gives me 1012.267... what is wrong?
What is the uncertainty? this is not far from the expected value of about 981 cm/s^2!
 
yes haha thanks i forgot that its in cm haha

just to confirm, tthe % error would be 1- (980/1012.267) right?
 
Last edited:

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