Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE Name: _____________________

PHYSICS 125 are

LAB REPORT Group #: ________

Date: ______________ Time: _________

Partners:
TITLE: Simple Harmonic Motion

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

Objective: To study the dependence of the period of oscillation of a mass-spring system on the mass and

the spring constant.

Theory: Hooke’s law for a spring states that the magnitude of the applied force F exerted by a

spring is related to the extension x by the equation

F =k x where k is called the spring constant.

A force can be applied to a vertical spring by hanging a mass m from it. The attached mass now causes

the equilibrium length of the spring to move downward. At this new equilibrium position, the spring has

now been stretched a distance x down from its unstretched position.

Hooke’s law then becomes: F = ma, mg = kx , or

W = kx where W = mg (the weight of the hanging mass).

A plot of W versus x yields a straight line with slope equal to the spring constant k.

When a mass m is attached to a horizontal spring, the system oscillates with a period T given by

T = 2π
k

If the spring is vertically orientated and the mass m is hanging from it, the period of oscillation is given by

the same expression, with the center of oscillation situated at the equilibrium position.

Equipment: Table “V” clamp Right-angle clamp Plumb bob

2 meter long rod Meter stick Pendulum clamp

Telescope holder Springs Slotted mass set

Stopwatch 12” ruler Mass hanger

Rev. by Crivello Jan 2020

Ittf 7mg

V o

To

o m

Ti

Eastman Fattener 3an

TTulfdown Release

Iffy

a
u
Spring

Force

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a o

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H
E

o
o

It

Ex

k the constant
spring
F

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k k em

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-
The sign indicates that the spring force is opposite the
displacement when the spring is moved from its relaxed
equilibrium position.

ring

i.e is.iq

x to

-
The Osign also indicates that the spring force is a restoring force.
Meaning, when you move the spring from its relaxed equilibrium
position, the spring force is always in a direction to restore the spring
back toward the equilibrium position. f

Bowl

PART

Determine the spring

constant k for
f

JJ the spring

EES

EEng Piet

AID mass to the spring o

measure the distance

it stretches

Mckg X M v o

Mi X

M's

Force vs X

Plot Weight the Spring

mg

o ow

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ox

ftp.ngforcE

ma

X m

6
Nmy

Slope 00 Im

y T

wa

Y n

Now oscillate your spring

7ImLkL12I

3X MRS

PART f

ai

So the mass m will vary by ~ 50 grams, the period of isolation will

be measured, and then using the value of the oscillating mass m
and the spring constant k from the slope of your first graph, you
can calculate the period T using this theoretical expression. Then
compare it to the experimental measured value of the period.

20 off
You will find that the two periods differ greatly. This means that the
above expression for the period does not accurately represent the
oscillating system.

A better representation of the oscillating system actually includes a

o
portion of the spring’s mass. This expression is shown below.

So we are not oscillating the system again, we’re just using the
above expression for the period (which includes a portion of the
spring’s mass) to calculate a better representation of the period.

closer

You will find that this expression for the period (which includes a
portion of the spring’s mass) more closely represents the measure
period from the data. The percent error using the above expression
along with the measured period will be very small.

where does the Lz come from

de

PART z

The first expression for the period does not include the mass of the
spring, but the actual system has TWO oscillating objects: the
hanging mass AND the spring. The spring also has mass and is
oscillating up and down. So we really have to include a portion of
the spring’s mass since it is part of the oscillating system.

Let’s now find what portion, (what fraction or percent) of the spring’s
mass we have to include.

That fraction is the letter c in the above expression.

 T
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

m + c mS
T = 2π
l
Part III: Testing the expression for the period of a spring-mass system:
k

or
Determining the constant c:

m
1. You found that the expression T = 2π from your textbook does not agree with the experimentally
k
measured period. In Part II you had to include a fraction of the spring’s mass ms in the numerator.

fom
l c of mcircled
2. In this part of the lab you will get an experiment value for that fractionthe s. The fraction c
depends on the relative size of the hanging mass attached to the spring to the spring’s mass.
point
b
J
E Ms our intercept
y
j
m + c mS T 2k
T = 2π = m + c ms
3. Using the equation c
and squaringu both sides yields
4π 2
k
q
4. This equation has the form y = m x + b.

Compare to O3 faY
T 2k tRNAs o
5. You will make a graph of versus m , where m is the oscillating mass attached to the
4π 2
spring.

1
i
I
b
f
tt
i.ms o

g
E 9
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

Setup:

meter stick set to X o

2
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

Procedure: Set to X 0.00cm

Part I Determination of the spring constant k: 1
Xo
1. Firmly attach the top of the spring to the clamp using a screw. 40.00cm Mark
2. Record the location of the bottom of the spring relative to the scale on the meter stick. The meter stick
can be repositioned by sliding it up in the “telescope holder” and/or you can adjust the height of the
clamp.

3. Once you have the bottom of the spring positioned at a convenient spot on the meter stick scale, don’t
change it ! You will be measuring all distances relative to this starting point.
Consider this to be x = 0 meters.

4. Measure and record the mass of the mass hanger in the data section. 50.31 grams
5. Attach the mass hanger from the spring and slowly lower the system to its lowest resting place. Note the
position of the same point of the spring you chose previously in step 2, and record the distance x that
the spring is stretched in the data table.
Xf 45.7cm
6. Since m is the total mass attached to the spring, the total weight attached to the spring added is
W, where W = mg. Calculate the weight W and record it in your data table.
oX Xf Ko
7. Add a 50 gram mass to the hanger and record the total mass m attached to the spring in your data table.

8. Wait for the mass-spring system to stop moving and record the total distance x X
0 45.7cm 40,00cm
Q v 70cm
the spring is stretched.

9. Calculate the weight W and record it in your data table.

X 5.70cm
10. Repeat steps 7-9 until a total of about 300 grams is attached to the spring (250 grams of slotted
masses + the 50 gram mass hanger).

11. Construct a graph of the Spring Force Fs (which is just the weight W attached to the spring)
versus the distance x the spring is stretched. Try to use the entire page of graph paper for your line.

12. Please refer to the section titled ‘How to Draw a Graph’ for helpful instructions.

13. Calculate the slope of the this graph and clearly show all your work on the graph paper. Do not forget
proper units!

3
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

14. Since Hooke’s Law has the form: Fs = k x , the slope of your graph is the spring constant k.

15. Determine the spring constant k from the slope of the graph.

Your slope: k = _________________

___________________________________________________________________________

m
Part II: Testing the expression for the period of a spring-mass system T = 2π
k
16. Measure and record the mass of your spring by placing it on the digital scale.

17. Place a 50 gram mass on the hanger to extend the spring. Record the total mass attached to the spring
in your data table for Part II.
100.14g
18. Pull down on the hanger a small amount (maybe 3 or 4cm) and release it. Now that the system is
oscillating in simple harmonic motion (SHM), and will continue to do so for a few minutes, have everyone
in your lab group obtain a timer.

19. Using a stopwatch, measure the time it takes to complete 10 complete cycles. Record the average of all
lab partners’ times here as t1. (Note: if one person’s time differs by 1 second, and the period is 1
second, then perhaps that person counted to 9 or 11, and do not use this data point.)

t1 data:
9 Ols 9.125

20. Repeat steps 18 and 19 of counting 10 cycles to obtain t2, and calculate the average of t1 and t2.
Record this average time in the data table as the total time ttotal.

t2 data:

21. Now divide ttotal by 10 to get the period T. Record this in your data table.

4
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

22. With the oscillating mass m equal to the 50 gram mass plus the mass of the hanger, and knowing the
spring constant k as measured from Part I, calculate the period T1 of the oscillation system using the
model

m
T1 = 2π
k
Show a sample calculation below the data table and record this in the data table as T1.

m
23. To test the validity of the expression T1 = 2π with your measured period T, calculate the
k
percentage error using the expression:

Tmeas -T1
% Error =
∗100%
Tmeas
Show a sample calculation below the data table and record this in the data table.

24. Experiments show that a better model takes in account the spring’s mass ms as it oscillates with the
hanging mass. This expression is:

1
m+ mS
T2 = 2π 3
k

25. Calculate the period T2 of the oscillation system using this model. Show a sample calculation below
the data table and record this in the data table as T2.

1
m+ mS
26. To test the validity of the expression T 2 = 2 π 3 with your measured period T, calculate
k
the percentage error using the expression:

Tmeas -T2
% Error =
∗100%
Tmeas

5
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

Show a sample calculation below the data table and record this in the data table. Check to see if you get a
lower percentage of error using this formula instead of the one from step 22 which doesn’t account for the
spring’s mass.

27. Now add 50 grams to the mass hanger (for a total of ~ 100 grams hanging from the spring).

28. Repeat steps 18 – 26, adding increments of 50 grams, and record the subsequent data on the data table.

6
 e - Simple Harmonic Motion
Physics 125
GIFs
Data and Analysis:

0
Part I: Calculation of the spring constant k
You must show your work.
MILK Qom
Iggy
S0o3
Mass of the mass hanger: __________

Table 1
Mass on spring Measured mass W = mg (N) x (m)
(kg)

i
1. (just the mass hanger)

2. total ≈ 100 grams

3. total ≈ 150 grams
soso.is
0.15029 0.1760 i
4. total ≈ 200 grams
0.20033 0.2360
5. total ≈ 250 grams
0.25031 0.2960
6. total ≈ 300 grams
0.30027 0.3560
Sample calculation of W = mg:

0.493 N
W ring w fo 0,5031kg 9.8071

WL x

7
 Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

0 Eth
m
Part II: Testing the expression for the period of a spring-mass system T = 2π
k

Enter your data and calculations here: Mass of your spring: 0.16155
__________ kg

Table 2 161.55M J
loperions Calculated Calculated Period % Error using % Error using
Period T (s) using correction factor for
Oscillating
mass
Total Measured T (s) 1 O
Tmeas -T1 spring mass
m (kg) time Period T using m + mS ∗100% |"#$%& '"( | ∗  100%
(s) (s) T2 = 2π 3 Tmeas " #$%&
m k
D
prkansfer T1 = 2π
(the mass
k
Big smaller
0 hanger + 50g)

0.100149 12 ooh
calc calc
AGE
7 4
o

i
Show one sample calculation for each column: first write down the symbolic physics equation, then include numerical
values with proper units.

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T too li
9 Theo
2af I zaf
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gz
BetterTz 2T
f T za
go.to

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8
 Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

I
m + c mS
Part III: Testing the expression for the period of a spring-mass system: T = 2π
k

Determining the constant c:

m
1. You found that the expression T = 2π from your textbook does not agree with the experimentally
k
measured period. In Part II you had to include a fraction of the spring’s mass ms in the numerator.

2. In this part of the lab you will get an experiment value for that fraction c of ms. The fraction c
depends on the relative size of the hanging mass attached to the spring to the spring’s mass.

r r
m + c mS T 2k
T = 2π = m + c ms

II
3. Using the equation and squaring both sides yields
k 4π 2

b
4. This equation has the form y = m x + b.

T 2k
5. You will make a graph of versus m , where m is the oscillating mass attached to the
4π 2
spring.

take on

m t
Form y

9
 Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

6. To determine c , first enter your data from Table 2 in the first two column below.

Mass of your spring: __________grams

From Table 2: Mass of your spring: __________grams

Sample calculation of step 7:

Oscillation mass T 2k
Measured
m (kg)
From Table 2
Period T (s) 4π 2
From Table 2
(kg)
(the mass hanger + 50g)
4TH
Tf1
o
t k your slope
IN Ny

T 2k
i
iii
7. Calculate the quantity and enter those values in the last column above.
4π 2

g
T k 2
versus m
Em
8. Make a graph of , where m is the oscillating mass attached to the spring
4π 2

I
from column 1 in the above table.

** NOTE: The origin of your graph must be (0,0). **

a
hs
k9
TYf
o

r h
E cm 9kg
10

coins rn kg
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

9. Locate the point on your graph where the line intersects the vertical axis.

T 2k
10. Since = m + c ms has the form y = m x + b, the vertical intercept “b” is c m s .
4π 2
Circle that point on your graph and call it b.

Your b = ______________________(from your graph. Include units)

11. Now that you have c m s = b , solve this expression to get an experimental value for the constant
c. Show your calculations.

b
c =
ms

c = __________________

11
Physics 125 - Simple Harmonic Motion

Conclusion and Summary of Results:

c
Write a brief conclusion, including a brief discussion of the physics involved in this experiment, including
possible sources of error. State and summarize your numerical results and indicate whether these results
give support or validate the purpose of the lab exercise.

12


PHYSICS 195 LAB: Torsion Oscillator and Ring Pendulum

SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE

Name: _____________________

PHYSICS 195 LAB REPORT Group #: ________

Date: ______________ Time: _________

TITLE: Torsion Oscillator and Ring Pendulum Partners:

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

OBJECTIVE:

I. To test the equation for the period of a torsion oscillator by using it to calculate the

rotational inertia of a uniform plate and hollow cylinder .

II. Physical Pendulum: To determine empirically and theoretically the relationship between the period and

the diameter of a ring pendulum, and use the results to calculate an experimental value for g.

κ I

THEORY: Torsion pendulum : τ =−κ θ ω= T = 2π

I κ

T physical pendulum = 2π
Mgd

1
Disk: I cm = M R2

1 2 2

Hollow Cylinder: Ιhollow cylinder = M ( rinner + router )

Thin Ring: I cm = M R 2

A K
class NOTES

i From our

om
it
Lff
D

2g

of
Ring

M Radius R C D
T
mass n

Diameter D A y c

CDN T log C

T log log

log

D C

T log
t
tog

tog
ni b

X t
Form

log gC1
Slope _OI

s o.O

OD logC

I logo

Tcs

ii OT To find C

OD i

D Dcm

D I

set n log'D o i

01 C

T
log

log

C
see graph

tog T log

log C i c 5 Smna my slope

log 5

VN of C

gLTS

con
In

T c men

Is

your Mn

c 2 C
41g

i
g

T your

to 32
91

compare

Ring Pendulum
Axis
A

douter

d
dinner T average
PHYSICS 195 LAB: Torsion Oscillator and Ring Pendulum

Experimental techniques, data and analysis:

PART III: Ring Pendulum

1. The walls of the ring have a thickness that can be measured, but we will treat the object as a thin ring of
radius R.

2. Determine the average diameter of each ring pendulum by measuring the outside and inside diameters to
within 0.01 cm. The ring will be treated as a thin hoop of diameter Davg for purposes of analysis. Record
your measurements in the data table below.

3. Determine the average period of each ring pendulum by measuring the total time t required for 20
cycles for two trial periods.

# of Total Time, t Period, T

Dinner (cm) Douter (cm) Davg (cm) Cycles (s)
(s)
20

328 so 20

14 21 15.52
20
15.21 c

20

qq.gg fs4oE29i4s
Calculations for Davg and Period T:
20
3i
40cm
Dinner 28.50cm 29.45cm
Dzouter a4oIJIDgvg
I30
4. From the analysis of SHM for a physical ring pendulum, the period is related to the diameter by (please
refer to your class notes):

tag
2π t
T = CD n where C = T 2129042 1.102
g
5. Make a graph of the period T (in seconds) of the ring pendulums as a function of their diameters D (in
meters) on log-log paper in order to verify the above relation between period and diameter.

6. For help graphing and calculating the slope of your line on log-log paper, you may want to consult the
‘How to Graph on Log-Log Paper’ guide from earlier in the semester.

s
PHYSICS 195 LAB: Torsion Oscillator and Ring Pendulum

7. Calculate the slope of the first graph and clearly show all your work on the graph paper.

Your slope: n = _______________

8. Remember that the log paper took the log of your data, thus the data which has the form T = CD n
now is represented on the log paper as: log ( T ) = n logD + logC

9. The constant C is found from the D = 1 meter intercept. Mark this value on your graph as the intercept
C. Use a triangle ∆ to mark this intercept and write the value here. Use proper units!

C = ________________ (from your D = 1 meter intercept on the graph)

10. Use your value of C to calculate an experimental value of the acceleration due to gravity ‘g’.

2π
(*Note: C = , so you will need to solve this expression for g.)
g

C
Sj
T CD
UNITS of C pin

Your g = ___________

11. Now compare it with the accepted value of 9.8 m/s2:

g lab − g theo
% Error = ∗100
g theo

% Error = ___________
PHYSICS 195 LAB: Torsion Oscillator and Ring Pendulum

Conclusion and Summary of Results:

Write a brief conclusion, including a brief discussion of the physics involved in this experiment, including
possible sources of error. State and summarize your numerical results and indicate whether these results
give support or validate the purpose of the lab exercise.

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