PHYS4A/ Fall 2014; Mass-Spring Oscillations

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to calculate and observe the changes in period of springs with different spring constants and as hanging mass changed for a specific spring.

For this experiment, the room was split into two groups each with a set of springs in order to lessen the amount of time to do the experiment. Each subgroup was given a spring of which we needed to calculate the spring constant. Using a motion sensor and hanging mass on the spring, we were able to calculate our spring constant by comparing the unstretched length of the spring and the stretched length as the hanging mass was added. We calculated a spring constant of 2.330 for our spring and shared that with the class in the data pool.

Spring Oscillation Set-Up

While the other groups were figuring out their spring constants, we then used several different masses on our spring and measured the period of oscillations. Once the data was recorded, we were able to create the graphs in the form below to look for the relations in the periods of the springs.

Graphs we were asked to analyze

Our Graphs of Period vs hanging mass and Period vs spring constant

 Once all the groups were able to get their constants and periods with a set mass, we were able to create a period vs spring constant graph with data from the class. After that graph was created, we were able to compare that with an experimental period which we calculated in loggerpro and compared that to what the theoretical period turned out to be. As you can see, the two period graphs were fairly close meaning error was not that large. Once this graph was analyzed, we then graphed the multiple hanging masses on our spring and made a similar analysis.

Based on the data, we were able to see that springs with a higher spring constant had a shorter period as the force of the spring resisted stretch. We also noticed that if a heavier mass was put on a spring, the period also got longer. These observations made sense both logically and mathematically using the Period formulas.