Pendulum of Varying Length Apparatus STEM Lab Manufacturer,Supplier and Exporter in India
Product Code : SCL-MH-12511
Unlock the core principles of simple harmonic motion (SHM) and gravitational acceleration with the Pendulum of Varying Length Apparatus STEM Lab by Educational Instrument India. Designed with meticulous precision for school physics labs, AP physics classrooms, and university engineering departments, this foundational STEM laboratory instrument bridges the gap between abstract mathematical equations and physical reality.
This apparatus allows students to isolate, observe, and compute how varying the string length affects a pendulum's oscillation frequency and period. Built using high-durability, low-friction materials, it minimizes external damping forces to deliver highly reliable and repeatable empirical data that lines up perfectly with academic textbooks.
Key Features & Benefits
Complete Classroom Physics Kit: Includes a heavy-duty cast iron base, rigid support pillar, adjustable low-friction suspension clamp, multi-material pendulum bobs, and a high-tensile braided cord.
Frictionless Suspension Mechanism: Features a specialized split-chuck or dual-plate clamping system at the pivot point, ensuring the pendulum swings on a single plane without slipping or adding micro-friction.
Integrated Precision Measurement: Comes equipped with an integrated metric scale on the support rod and an angular protractor at the suspension hub to maintain control over small-angle approximations (under 10°).
Industrial Grade Construction: Built by Educational Instrument India, a benchmark manufacturer for educational equipment, utilizing premium corrosion-resistant materials for years of rigorous lab use.
Technical Specifications
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Parameter |
Details |
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Brand Name |
Educational Instrument India |
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Product Name |
Pendulum of Varying Length Apparatus STEM Lab |
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Core Scientific Principle |
Simple Harmonic Motion, Period of a Simple Pendulum |
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Support Pillar Height |
1000 mm (1 Meter) / Heavy-duty chrome-plated steel |
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Base Type |
Tripod or Rectangular heavy cast-iron base with levelling screws |
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Suspension System |
Easy-glide adjustable clamp with dual-knob locking mechanism |
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Pendulum Bobs Included |
Spherical bobs of varying mass/materials (Brass, Steel, Wood, Aluminum) |
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Measurement Tooling |
Integrated vertical millimeter scale and fine-adjustment cord guide |
How to Use It: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these instructions to successfully calculate the acceleration due to gravity or study the correlation between length and period :
Set Up and Level: Place the cast-iron base on a stable, vibration-free laboratory table. Use the leveling screws on the base to ensure the vertical support rod stands perfectly perpendicular.
Attach the Bob: Thread the high-tensile string through a pendulum bob (e.g., the brass sphere) and secure it to the adjustable suspension clamp at the top.
Set the Initial Length: Adjust the suspension clamp so that the length from the pivot point to the exact center of mass of the bob is precisely 40 cm (0.40 m). Record this value.
Displace at a Small Angle: Pull the pendulum bob to a small angle (less than 10° to satisfy the small-angle approximation and release it smoothly. Ensure it oscillates in a clean, single vertical plane.
Time the Oscillations: Using a digital stopwatch, start timing when the bob passes the equilibrium point. Count 20 complete oscillations (back-and-forth cycles). Divide the total time by 20 to find the precise period of a single oscillation.
Vary the Length: Loosen the clamp, extend the string length to 60 cm, 80 cm, and 100 cm, and repeat the timing process for each variation.
Data Analysis: Have students plot a graph of . The resulting straight line provides an exceptionally clear proof of the SHM equation, allowing them to calculate the slope to find local gravity .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why does changing the length of the string alter the pendulum's period?
The restoring force acting on a pendulum bob is directly tied to gravity and the angle of displacement. As the string is made longer, the bob has to travel a longer arc path, but the accelerating force pulling it back down changes more gradually. This increases the time it takes to complete a full swing cycle, thereby lengthening the period ($T$).
Q2: Does changing the weight or material of the pendulum bob alter the period?
No. According to the laws of motion and Galileo's classic experiments, all objects accelerate at the same rate under gravity regardless of their mass (ignoring air resistance). Students can verify this using the Educational Instrument India kit by keeping the length identical while swapping out the brass bob for the wooden or aluminum bob—the period will remain identical.
Q3: Why must the swing angle be kept small (under 10 degrees)?
The standard formula for a pendulum's period relies on a mathematical simplification known as the "small-angle approximation." If the pendulum is swung from a wide angle, the restoring force loses its strict linear relationship with displacement, causing the actual period to be slower than what the formula predicts.
Q4: How do you maintain the apparatus to prevent experimental errors?
Ensure the suspension cord is kept free of knots or frays that could skew the length measurements. Periodically wipe down the chrome-plated steel support pillar with a dry microfiber cloth to keep the adjustable slider moving smoothly
