Academics

Simple Harmonic Motion Oscillations

 

Physics Lab Manual


The purpose of this lab is to investigate Simple Harmonic Motion in two simple systems, a mass hanging on a spring and a simple pendulum.

Part A: Mass on a Spring

1. Predict how the time for one oscillation (period) depends on the amplitude of the oscillation. (ie: 3 times amplitude => 3 times period, or 6 times period...)

 

 

 

 

2. Predict how the time for one period depends on the mass hanging on the spring.

 

 

 

 

Mass constant - amplitude varied

3. Hang 100 g on the spring. Time ten oscillations for the following spring extensions. PLEASE don't overstretch the springs - they die very easily!

amplitude 10 periods period
1.0 cm    
2.0 cm    
3.0 cm    
4.0 cm    
5.0 cm    

Amplitude constant - mass varied

4. Now keep the amplitude constant at 2.0 cm and change the hanging mass.

mass 10 periods period
50 g    
60 g    
80 g    
100 g    
120 g    

Part B: Simple Pendulum

1. Predict how the time for one oscillation (period) depends on the angle of the oscillation. (ie: 3 times angle => 3 times period, or 6 times period...)

 

 

 

 

2. Predict how the time for one period depends on the length of the string

 

 

 

 

Length constant - angle varied

3. Fix the string length to be 1.0 m. Measure the time for 10 oscillations at varying angles.

angle 10 periods period
   
10°    
15°    
30°    
45°    

Angle constant - length varied

4. Now keep the angle constant at 15° and change the length of the string.

length 10 periods period
1.0 m    
0.75 m    
0.50 m    
0.25 m    

Conclusion

Summarize your findings regarding the period of motion and the variables in the mass and spring system and the simple pendulum system.