Task Title/Description : Design simulation of spring oscillation experiment

1.2 Time Duration

1 hrs 30 Minutes

1.3 Format of Task -

Title : Spring oscillation experiment

1. Practical Significance
 This experiment illustrates the value of collection and display of data in assisting thinking
about the phenomenon of oscillation. Students can observe connections between features
on the graph and the motion of the mass.

2. Simulation Experiment learning Outcomes

 Determine the factors which affect the period of oscillation.

 Correlate the relationship between the velocity and acceleration vectors, and their
relationship to motion, at various points in the oscillation.
 Examine conservation of Mechanical Energy using kinetic, elastic potential, gravitational
potential, and thermal energy
 Analyse the damping effect on the natural frequency and amplitude.
 Calculate the spring constant of the springs using Hooke's Law.
 Determine the mass of an unknown object

3. Theoretical Background

Hooke's Law: Elastic force occurs in the spring when the spring is being
stretched/compressed or deformed (Δx) by the external force. Elastic force acts in the
opposite direction of the external force. It tries to bring the deformed end of the spring to
the original (equilibrium) position. (Fig. 1)
If the stretch is relatively small, the magnitude of the elastic force is directly
proportionally to the stretch ∆ x according to Hooke's Law:
F=−k ∙ ∆ x
where k is a constant, usually called spring constant, and ∆ x is a stretch or change in a
length of the spring. The minus sign in front of the spring constant indicates that the
applied elastic force and restoring force produced by spring are in the opposite direction.

Simple Harmonic Motion:

If the hanging mass is displaced from the equilibrium position and released, then simple
harmonic motion (SHM) will occur. SHM means that position changes with a sinusoidal
dependence on time.
x=x m cos ( ωt )

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 The following are the equations for velocity and acceleration.
v=−x m ω cos ( ωt )
a=−x m ω2 cos ( ωt )
2
∴ a=−ω x
By substituting equations 2, 4 and 1 into Newton's Second Law, one can derive the
equation for the angular resonant frequency of the oscillating system:
ω=
√
k
m

where k is the spring constant and m the mass of the system undergoing the simple
harmonic motion. The unit of angular frequency is 
rad
radians per second=
s
The natural resonant frequency of the oscillator can be changed by changing either the
spring constant or the oscillating mass. Using a stiffer spring would increase the
frequency of the oscillating system. Adding mass to the system would decrease its
resonant frequency.
Two other important characteristics of the oscillation system are period (T) and linear
frequency (f). The period of the oscillations is the time it takes an object to complete one
oscillation. Linear frequency is the number of the oscillations per one second. The period
is inversely proportional to the linear frequency.
1
T=
f
1
The unit of the period is a second (s) and the unit of the frequency is Hertz or s−1 Hz=
s
The angular frequency is related to the period and linear frequency according to the
following expression.
2π
ω=2 πf =
T

T =2 π ¿
Energy:
For the oscillation to occur, the energy has to be transferred into the system. When an
object gets displaced out of equilibrium, then elastic potential energy is being stored in
the system. After the object is released, the potential energy transforms into kinetic
energy and back. In the harmonic oscillator, there is a continuous swapping back and
forth between potential and kinetic energy. For an oscillating spring, its potential energy
E p at any instant of time equals the work (W) done in stretching the spring to a
corresponding displacement x.
1 2
E p =W = k x
2
The kinetic energy Ek of the oscillator for any instance of time will follow the well-
known equation:
1 2
Ek = m v
2

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 According to the law of conservation of energy: "The mechanical energy is conserved
(neither destroyed nor created) in the frictionless oscillating system."

4. Simulation Experimental Set-up

5. Source
Spring, mass
6. Procedure
 Launch PhET simulation.
 Open masses and spring simulation.
 Set the initial point at zero of scale.
 Set the Spring Constant.
 Set the Damping effect.
 Set the Mass.
 Find the displacement.
 Tick marks the box of the displacement, mass equilibrium, velocity and
acceleration.
 Take the stop watch.
 Now oscillate the spring and measure time of five oscillations.
 Repeat the above step for different damping effect.
 Calculate the force constant.
 Repeat the above step for unknown mass.

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  Observe and analyse the motion of the oscillator and energy graphs.

7. Precautions
 Damping constant should be carefully chosen. (i.e. less than Spring constant)
 Set scale initially at zero value.

8. Observations and Calculations

No. Mass(m) Force(F)= Displacement(d) Spring Periodic
Time for 10
kg mg (N) m constant(k) = F/d Time (T
oscillation (t)
(N/m) =t/10) s
s

1 0.1 kg 0.98 0.325 3.02 8.01 0.8

2 0.15 kg 1.47 0.48 3.06 9.6 0.96

3 0.2 kg 1.96 0.65 3.02 10.7 1.07

4 0.25 kg 2.45 0.83 2.95 12.6 1.26

5 0.3 kg 2.94 0.97 3.03 13.7 1.37

6 Unknown - 0.75 - 12.1 1.21

mass

Average: 3.016 11.12 1.11

 Unknown mass (m) = T2k/4 π2 = 0.11 kg

 Graph

F/d
3.5
3
2.5
Force(N)

2
1.5
1
0.5
0 Displacement(m)
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1

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 Displacement/Time

Velocity/Time

Force/time

9. Results
 Unknown mass, m = kg (From Calculation)
m= kg (From Graph)

10. Interpretation of Results






11. Conclusions (comparison with real experiment)

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 



12. Simulation Related Questions

 What are the advantages/disadvantages of using this simulation?

 Was it easier/harder to use the sim over doing the hands-on investigation?

 How spring constant affect the result?

 How could you minimize error in your hands-on experiment? Sim experiment?

13. Assessment Scheme

Process: 60

Marks Obtained
Sr. No. Particulars
marks

1. Follow the precautions 10

2. Follow the instructions 10 g
3. Neatness in connections of circuit diagram 10

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 4. Attention during readings 10
5. Participation in group as member and leader 10
6. Safely use of instrument 10
Total 60

Product: 40

Obtained
Sr. No. Particulars Marks
marks

1. Timely submission of lab manual 10

2. Viva voice 10
3. Results and its interpretation 10
4. Submitted lab manual 10
Total 40

14. Rubric to assess Process and product

Scales
Unsatisfactory (0) Satisfactory (1) Good (2)
Criterion

Determination Does not plotted Graph plotted

Proper graph plotted
of slope graph without labelling

Taken slope of graph

Find the Spring Does not plotted Taken slope of
and find Spring
constant graph graph
constant

Setup of
Setup of
Setup of experiment is Setup of experiment
experiment and
experiment is not proper but does is proper and takes
taking
proper not take observations.
observation
observation.

Takes care
Precautions Does not take care Takes care dissembles the setup
after experiment

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 Does not participate Participate in Participate in
in experiment and experiments and experiment and
Team work
also not interact in interacted very interacted actively in
the group less group

Total (out of 10)

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