APPLIED PHYSICS LAB

LAB REPORT

 Submitted to: Mr. Ahmed Waqas Zubairi

 Department: MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (MSE-10)
Submitted by:
 Shariq Ijaz (170301019)
 Aqsa Aizaz (1703010031)
 Abdul Moiz (170301058)
 Shehryar Ahmed (17031009)
 Waleeja Momal (170301029)

Experiment: Harmonic oscillator

Assessor’s Remarks:
 
Table of Contents
Introduction

Learning outcomes

Experimental Aim

Theoretical Introduction

Acceleration

Angular frequency

Amplitude

Damping

Vibratory Motion

Oscillating System

Hooke’s Law

Restoring Force

Free Vibrations
Simple Harmonic Motion
Apparatus
Apparatus Description
Procedure

MATLAB Commands
Graphs

Graph between load and extension

Graph Analysis
Precautions
Sources of Error
Conclusion
Experimental Questions

Table of Figures
Figure 1 Damping Oscillations
Figure 2 Mass Spring System
Figure 3 Examination of Free Oscillations of a Vibrating Body Using Webcam and MATLAB
Figure 4 MATLAB Graph with high damping
Figure 5 MATLAB Graph with comparatively low damping
Figure 6 Graph showing variation of energy with displacement
Figure 7 Damped Oscillations
Figure 8 Un-damped Oscillations

z
Harmonic Oscillators

 Introduction
This experiment helps to know the basics of vibrating body and the basics of MATLAB Software
that how it is used to calculate the effect of various phenomena. Moreover the using of
computer is to get the very appropriate values of experiment because the electronic device can
observe any such type of motion at infinite points. In this experiment we are going to study the
simplest form of periodic motion namely simple harmonic motion (SHM) using a readily
available webcam and MATLAB.

 Learning Outcomes:
We will understand simple harmonic motion and its damping under various conditions and start
making simple measurements of lengths and understand the parallax error. We will understand
how errors propagate from an observed to an inferred quantity and identify dimensions and
units for simple physical quantities and transform between physical and logical coordinates then
we will fit experimentally observed curves with mathematically modeled solutions .We will
perform simple image processing and computational tasks on the personal computer and at last
we will understand the formation and display of colour on TV and computer screens
.
 Experimental Aim:
In this experiment we will examine the amplitude of a freely oscillating as well as an under
damped harmonic oscillator. The experiment requires measuring the damping constant and
then make a quantitative comparison of theory with experimental results. We will correct our
errors both random and systematic while proceeding the experiment.

Theoretical Introduction

 Acceleration
Acceleration is a vector quantity that is defined as the rate at which an object changes its
velocity. An object is accelerating if it is changing its velocity.
a=vf-vi/t
 Angular Frequency
Angular frequency ω, is a scalar measure of rotation rate. It refers to the angular displacement
per unit time. The term angular frequency is sometimes used as a synonym for the vector
quantity angular velocity. One revolution is equal to 2π radians.
Angular frequency ω =2π/T or 2πf
 Amplitude
Amplitude is the maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or
wave measured from its equilibrium position. It is equal to one-half the length of the vibration
path. The amplitude of a pendulum is thus one-half the distance that the bob traverses in
moving from one side to the other. Waves are generated by vibrating sources, their amplitude
being proportional to the amplitude of the source.
  Damping
An oscillation is damped when the amplitude and mechanical energy of a system gradually
decreases to zero
as a result of dissipative forces. Amplitude and frequency will be reduced during damping.
Damping is the process whereby energy is taken from the oscillating system. When there is
damping, amplitude decrease and period increase

Vibratory Motion
Vibratory motion is to and fro motion of an object about its mean position.

Conditions for oscillations:

a) Mass (inertia element)

b) Spring (restoring force element)
c) Damper (for damping oscillations)

Characteristics of oscillations:

a) Vibration: One complete cycle of oscillation.

b) Time period: Time taken for 1 oscillation.
c) Frequency: Number of oscillations per second.
d) Instantaneous displacement: Displacement at any particular moment from mean
position.
e) Amplitude: Maximum displacement during vibrations.

Oscillating System
Any system capable of oscillations is an oscillating system.
Hooke’s Law
Hooke’s Law of elasticity states that the extension of the spring is directly proportional to the
force (load) applied to it, as long as the force applied does not exceed the spring’s elastic limit.
This law is only valid for elastic materials, which extend linearly inside the elastic limits.
Fx
F=kx

Where:

1. F is the force applied (SI units = Newton)

2. x is the extension or contraction of the spring (SI units = meter)
3. k is a constant called “spring constant” (SI units = Newton/meter). k is dependent on
the nature of the material used in the spring, length of the spring and diameter of the
spring.

Restoring Force
The force that brings or tends to bring the vibrating body to its equilibrium position when the applied
force is removed is the restoring force. This force is always directed towards the mean position.
F=–kx

Free Vibrations
When there is no external force acting on the oscillating system, then the vibrations are called
“free vibrations”. In this case, damping is negligible.

The force applied to the mass by the spring is proportional to the amount the spring is stretched
"x" (we will assume the spring is already compressed due to the weight of the mass). The
proportionality constant, k, is the spring constant and has units of force/distance (SI units=N/m).
The negative sign indicates that the force is always opposing the motion of the mass attached to
it.

The oscillation in which amplitude of the vibrating body is

continuously decreasing by the influence of external factors such
type of oscillation is named as Damped oscillations. It is applied
today in car shocks absorber suspension system. Damped oscillation
graph is given as in which amplitude is decreasing with time.

Figure 1 Damping Oscillations

Simple Harmonic Motion
It is a form of periodic motion in which the restoring force is proportional to displacement and is
directed towards the mean position. The body undergoing such motion is called “Simple
Harmonic Oscillator”.

Equations of Simple Harmonic Motion:

Apparatus

Stand

Helical spring

Mass

Webcam

MATLAB

Apparatus Description

Mass Spring System
Mass is attached to a spring which is
suspended from the stand. The spring
is extended and then let free to allow
oscillations.

Figure 2 Mass-Spring System


Webcam

A webcam is a video camera which sends

images/videos to a computer or computer network,
often through USB data cable, Ethernet or Wi-Fi. In
this particular experiment, webcam is used to record
a video of the oscillating mass.
Figu
re 3
WE
BCA
M

MATLAB
MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) is a numerical computing environment and fourth-
generation programming language. Developed by Math Works, MATLAB allows matrix
manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of
user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages, including C, C+
+, Java, and FORTRAN. In this experiment, it is used to process the video of oscillating
body to produce displacement time graph of free vibrations.

Procedure

Run MATLAB on the computer. Enter the
command to start webcam.


Arrange the webcam so the complete
oscillating system can be viewed in it.


A set of commands in entered, which is
provided in the next section.


The number before the command only
shows its order and is not part of the
command.


The symbol “>>” also appears
automatically and is not part of the
command.

MATLAB Commands Figure 4 Examination of Free Oscillations of a Vibrating

Body Using Webcam and MATLAB
1. webcam
2. >> >> start(vid)
3. >> savedata
4. >> size(frames)
5. >> firstframe=frames(:,:,:,1)
6. >> imcrop(firstframe)
7. >> rect=[xmin ymin ( xmax - xmin) ( ymax - ymin ) ]
8. >> cropregion=imcrop(firstframe,rect)
9. >> for i=1:300
regions(:,:,:,i)=imcrop(frames(:,:,:,i),rect);
end
10. >> imageprocess
11. >> masscenter
12. >> x=center(:,1)
13. >> y=center(:,2)
14. >> time=time(1,300)
15. >> figure;plot(time,x)
16. >> figure;plot(time,y)
EXPERIMENTAL QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS THE ACCERALATION IN SHM ?

In SHM the acceleration of the object is directly proportional to its displacement
from its equilibrium position and is always directed towards the equilibrium
position.
MATHEMATICALLY:
a= -(ω)2 x
where,
ω= 2πf
a= : Acceleration (ms-2)
f: Frequency (Hz)
x: Displacement from the central position (m)

What is the velocity of SHM?

The velocity of the object can be calculated at any point in its oscillation using the
following equation:

A:Amplitude {maximum displacement} (m)

X: Displacement (m)
f: Frequency (Hz)

What is the value of velocity at mean position O and

extreme positions A and B?
The value of velocity at mean position is maximum and velocity at extreme
position is minimum
that is zero.

What is the value of kinetic energy of a particle executing

SHM?
The body executing SHM possess a restoring force, Due to this property body
tends to move back to its mean postion. Since body remains in motion so it posses
Kinetic energy.

Hence kinetic enery=

(A2 + X2 )
What is the value of potential energy of a particle
executing SHM?
A particle executing simple harmonic is acted upon by a restoring force, which
tends to bringback the particle to its mean position. Hence the particle possesses
the Potential energy.
Potential energy of the particle at displacement x =

Why do we need shock absorbers with springs in car?

Shock absorbers are hydraulic (oil) pump like devices that help to control the
impact and rebound movement of your vehicle’s springs and suspension. Along
with smoothening out bumps and vibrations the key role of the shock absorbers is
to ensure that the vehicle’s tires remain in contact with the road surface at all
times which ensure safest control and braking response from car.

What is angular SHM?

Angular SHM is defined as the oscillatory motion of a body in which the body is
acted upon by a restoring torque which is directly proportional to its angular
displacement from the equilibrium position and directed opposite to the angular
displacement.

What would be a resultant torque on the body at mean

position?
At mean position the resultant torque will be zero because at mean position,
=0
As we know that,

Therefore,

What would be the time period of spring pendulum and

simple pendulum?
Time period of a spring pendulum:

Time period of a simple pendulum :

What are the types of oscillations?
There are two types of oscillations:
1. Damped oscillations.
2. Undaamped oscilations.

What are the units of ω k and m?

 ω is angular frequency and its unit is .

 К is spring constant and its unit are .
m is the mass and its unit is .

Is jumping on a spring mattress SHM? Explain your

answer.
There is a spring system underneath the mattress, because of which we move up
and down when we jump upon it.When we put our weight on mattress,it is in
compressed form so it will exert a force upon us. Spring has stiffness k constant
and ω= for the spring system it’s all like an oscillatory system hence
jumping on mattress is SHM.

Would a mass-spring system also work in space?

NO, it will not work in space. Because the body is weight less in space as there is
no gravity acting upon it.