The project
We used a smartphone suspended from a string to study a pendulum’s oscillations. The aim was to estimate gravitational acceleration and compare our result with the expected value.
Choice of method
The smartphone recorded motion with Phyphox. We analysed these data with Python to determine the oscillation period and relate it to pendulum length.
Measurements
After measuring the pendulum’s length, we recorded its oscillations and exported the data. I worked on processing and plotting them to compare the measured motion with the model.
What we achieved
The estimate is close to the expected value of gravitational acceleration. We also identified experimental limitations: length measurement, unwanted rotations and motion amplitude affect the result.
Skills practised
Selected learning outcomes from the competency framework practised in this project.
- BC01
Present measurement results using suitable tools
I plotted the measurements using Python.
- BC02
Evaluate measurement uncertainty
I studied how length and period affect the precision of the result.
- BC01
Check measurements against expected results
We compared our estimate with the expected value and discussed the differences.