Neco 2022 Physics Question 1

Practice essay / theory question 1 from the 2022 Neco Physics examination. This question covers Measurements and Units, Simple Harmonic Motion, Error analysis .

Neco 2022 Physics Essay / Theory
Topics: Measurements and Units Simple Harmonic Motion Error analysis
Question 1 NECO • 2022 • PHYSICS • essay
Neco 2022 Physics Question 1 diagram

In a physics laboratory, a simple pendulum is set up as shown in the diagram. The bob is a small spherical steel ball of mass 0.200 kg attached to a light inextensible string. The length of the string is measured from the point of suspension to the centre of the bob and recorded as 0.500 m using a meter rule. The period of the pendulum is measured by timing 20 complete oscillations with a digital stopwatch. The recorded time for 20 oscillations is 28.2 s. The ambient temperature is 22°C and the air density may be considered negligible.

Question Parts

( a )
Calculate the average period of one oscillation. Then, using the formula \(T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}\), determine the experimental value of the acceleration due to gravity \(g\). Show all steps.
( b )
Determine the percentage error of the experimental \(g\) value obtained in part (a) relative to the accepted value \(9.81\,\text{m\,s}^{-2}\).
( c )
Identify two possible sources of systematic error in this experiment and explain qualitatively how each would affect the calculated value of \(g\) (i.e., cause it to be higher or lower).

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About This Question

This is Neco 2022 Physics Question 1. It is one of the essay questions from the 2022 Neco Physics examination.

The question covers Measurements and Units, Simple Harmonic Motion, Error analysis .

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