SHM Lab

Experiment #: 7
Skill: A/I
Title: Simple Harmonic Motion
Aim: To investigate simple harmonic motion in the ‘small amplitude’ oscillations of a spring-
mass system.
Theory: Simple harmonic motion is a periodic motion in which the acceleration of a mass is
proportional to the displacement from a fixed point and directed towards the fixed point. It
results when a body displaced from its equilibrium position is acted on by a restoring force, F,
that is always proportional and in the opposite direction to its displacement from that equilibrium
position.
Apparatus & Materials:
 Retort stand
 Similar springs
 Standard masses
 Stopwatch
Diagram:
Method:
Part A
1. The apparatus was set up as shown in diagram 1.
2. The spring mass system was given a small vertical displacement and the time it
took to make 20 oscillations was measured, where two trials were done. From
this, the period was calculated.
3. Step 2 was repeated for six other masses.
4. The data was tabulated, a graph plotted of T2 versus m was plotted, and the
gradient of the graph was calculated.
Part B
1. The apparatus was set up as shown in diagram 2, with two similar springs in
series and a mass, m, was suspended from it.
2. The time taken for the system to make 20 oscillations was measured and the
period was calculated.
3. Step 2 was repeated after setting up the apparatus with 2 springs in parallel, as
seen in diagram 3.
Results:
TABLE SHOWING THE PERIOD AND PERIOD SQUARED OF THE OSCILLATIONS FOR
A SPRING-MASS SYSTEM
Mass, m (kg) Time taken for 20 oscillations, t (s) Period, T (s) Period
squared, T2
Trial 1 Trial 2 Average
(s2)
0.10 8.55 8.46 8.51 0.43 0.18
0.15 10.81 10.61 10.71 0.54 0.29
0.20 12.07 12.22 12.15 0.61 0.37
0.25 13.47 13.46 13.47 0.67 0.45
0.30 14.57 14.64 14.61 0.73 0.53
0.35 15.74 15.72 15.73 0.79 0.62
0.40 16.73 16.84 16.79 0.84 0.71
TABLE SHOWING THE PERIOD AND PERIOD SQUARED OF THE OSCILLATIONS FOR
A SPRING-MASS SYSTEM IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
Series/Parallel? Mass, m Time taken for 20 oscillations, t (s) Period, T Period
(kg) (s) squared,
Trial 1 Trial 2 Average
T2 (s2)
Series 0.20 16.54 16.60 16.57 0.83 0.69
Parallel 8.10 8.24 8.17 0.41 0.17
Calculations:
Sample calculation for period, T
 T = tavg/number of oscillations
 T = 8.51/20
 T = 0.43
Sample calculation of force, F
 F = ma
 F = 0.10 kg × 9.81 ms-2
 F = 0.981 N
Calculation of gradient, m
 m = (y2 – y1) ÷ (x2 – x1)
 m = (0.71 – 0.18) ÷ (0.4 – 0.1)
 m = 0.53 ÷ 0.3
 m = 1.77
Data Analysis:
The gradient of the graph, m is 4π2/k. This can be proven by using the equation: T = 2π√m/k.
 T = 2π√m/k
 T2 = (2π√m/k)2 [squaring both sides]
 T2 = 4π2m/k [squaring each term in the brackets]
The equation is now in the form of the equation of a straight line, y = mx + c. Hence if T 2, the y
value, is plotted against m, the x value, the gradient will be m, which has been proven to be
4π2/k.
Hence, the spring constant, k, can be solved for.

 m = 4π2/k
 mk = 4π2
 k = 4π2/m
 k = 4π2/1.77
 k = 22.30 kgs-2
The spring constant would not change if the spring was oscillating on the moon, although the
acceleration due to gravity is one sixth of that on earth. This is because the spring constant is a
property of the spring itself and is not affected by the gravitational field in which it is placed.
If we want to plot T along the y-axis, √m should be plotted along the x-axis to get a straight line.
This is shown in the equation: T = 2π√m/k. Therefore, the slope of this graph gives 2π/√k.
To find the equation for the spring constant, k:
 T2 = 4π2m/k
 kT2 = 4π2m
 k = 4π2m/T2
Series Parallel
ks = 4π2m/T2 kp = 4π2m/T2
ks = 4π2(0.20)/0.69 kp = 4π2(0.20)/0.17
ks = 11.44 kgs-2 kp = 46.45 kgs-2
k/ks = 22.30/11.44 kp/k = 46.45/22.30
k/ks ≈ 2 kp/k ≈ 2
⸫ k/ks = 2 = kp/k
Discussion: The square of the period of oscillation is directly proportional to the mass, meaning
that as the mass is increased, the square of the time it takes for one complete oscillation will also
increase.
The spring constant in series is significantly less than the spring constant in parallel. This is
because when springs are in series, they share the load, making the spring constant less.
Whereas, in parallel, the springs share the displacement, acting like a single, stiffer spring,
making the spring constant larger.
Sources of Error:
 Human reaction time in measuring the time for oscillations may have led to inaccuracies
in the values recorded.
 There may have been air resistance which affected the oscillations.
Precautions:
 Ensure that the spring is not deformed or stretched beyond its elastic limit before starting
the experiment.
 Ensure that the oscillations are small.
Conclusion:
To conclude,

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Experiment #: 7

Hence, the spring constant, k, can be solved for.

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