Physics Lab Manual
- Physics 21: Mechanics
- Physics 22: Electromagnetism
- Physics 23: Waves, Thermodynamics, and Optics
- Physics 6: Mechanics and Waves
- Physics 7: Electromagnetism, Thermo, Optics
- Physics 8: Mechanics and Waves
- Physics 9: Electromagnetism, Thermo, Optics
- Physics 14: Conceptual Physics
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...)
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2. Predict how the time for one period depends on the mass hanging on the spring.
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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...)
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2. Predict how the time for one period depends on the length of the string
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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 |
| 5° | ||
| 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.
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