PHYSICS 1 LAB

Lab 11: HOOKE’S LAW and SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION of a

Spring-Mass System

OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the spring constant k, of a spring using Hooke’s Law by

generating a plot of Force vs. Elongation and compare it with the spring constant k using the simple
harmonic motion properties of an oscillating mass-spring system. 2. Generate a sinusoidal curve fit of
the motion of the spring-mass system to determine the angular frequency of the motion. 3. To find the
period of oscillation assuming the spring-mass system is ideal. 4. Analyze the position, velocity, and
acceleration at critical points of the motion of the spring-mass system.

EQUIPMENT: Capstone software and the 850 Universal Interface, Force sensor, motion
sensor, spring, (5) 50-g slotted weights/group, weight hanger, Excel software, ruler, meterstick, Rod
stand, s-clamp, small rod

INTRODUCTION: WATCH INTRODUCTORY VIDEO BY DR. CLARAGE

Hooke's law states that the force F needed to stretch or compress a spring from its equilibrium
length L0 is directly proportional to the amount of stretch (or compression) ∆L. That is: F = -k∆L,
where k is a constant factor characteristic of the spring called the spring constant (related to the
stiffness of the spring) and ∆L is the amount of stretch or compression. When stretched or
compressed, the force exerted by the spring will be in the direction opposite the displacement,

F s = - k∆ L (1)
where Fs is the restoring force or spring force.

If a mass m is attached to a vertically hung spring with equilibrium

length L0 it will stretch the spring to a final length Lf such that mg = k(Lf –
L0) = k∆L since there is no net force on the mass (not yet oscillating).

If the mass is then stretched an additional distance, there will be

potential energy stored in the spring. If the spring is then released, there will
be an unbalanced upward force on the mass causing it to accelerate upward,
converting spring potential energy into kinetic energy of the moving mass.
As the mass continues to move upward past the equilibrium point, the spring
compresses until all the kinetic energy is converted into potential energy in
the compressed spring. At this point the downward force of the compressed
string on the mass causes the mass to reverse its motion and accelerate downward. In this way the
spring will oscillate up and down about the equilibrium Lf. When an oscillating mass experiences a
force that is linearly proportional to its displacement but in the opposite direction, the resulting motion
is called simple harmonic motion and the displacement, velocity and acceleration all vary
sinusoidally (i.e., like a sine wave).

The position of the oscillating mass may be expressed as:

𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 + 𝜑𝜑) + 𝐶𝐶 (2)

where y is the instantaneous vertical displacement from the equilibrium position, A is the amplitude
(maximum displacement from the equilibrium position of the mass) of the motion, ω is the angular
frequency of the oscillation, t is the time, and φ is a phase constant. The angular frequency is equal to
2π f where f is the frequency or ω = 2π/𝑇𝑇 where T is the period of oscillation.

2𝜋𝜋
𝜔𝜔 = 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 or 𝜔𝜔 = (3)
𝑇𝑇

If the mass of the spring is negligible compared to the hanging mass m, the period, T of the
oscillation (defined as the time required for the body to complete one oscillation) can be shown to be
given by

𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑇𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 2𝜋𝜋 � (4)
𝑘𝑘

where m is the total mass attached to the spring and k is the spring constant.

A Mass-Spring System Oscillating Vertically. (Taken from OpenStax Physics Textbook)

PROCEDURE:

PART I. HOOKE’S LAW

1. Measure the initial length (L0) of the spring L0 = _____________.
2. Measure the mass of the spring, weight hanger (H) and the slotted weights one at a time.
3. Attach the spring to the clamp and hook the weight hanger (H) to the spring. Measure the
new length (Lf) of the spring.
4. Now put the slotted weights to the hanger one at a time [careful enough so as not to cause
oscillation]. Measure the new length of the spring every time. [Checkpoint 1]

PART II. HOOKE’S LAW GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS - DETERMINATION OF SPRING constant, k

1. Use the scatter plot of Excel to generate a Force vs. ∆L graph. Prepare a 2-column table
where the x-axis (1st column) is the elongation ∆L and the y-axis (2nd column) is the
Force (weight) values obtained in Part I.

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 2. Right click on any point on the graph and choose “add a trend line” to display the
equation of the graph. DO NOT set the intercept to zero. Apply rules for correct graphing
with the proper labels and units. [Checkpoint 2]

3. Copy the Excel table and graph and paste it onto a Word document. Layout the document
such that the data table and graph fit one page. Reserve a space below the graph for your
answer to guide questions below. [Include in your Lab Report]

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR GRAPH ANALYSIS

1. What does the shape of the F vs. ∆L graph tell you about the relationship between the
force and the amount of stretch on the spring? Write the equation of the Force vs. stretch
graph.
2. What is the slope of the graph and what physics variable does the slope represent?
3. What is the y- intercept and what physics variable does the y- intercept represent? Explain
why the intercept is not equal to zero.
4. Rewrite the equation of the graph in terms of the variables F and ∆L with the
corresponding units.
5. What is the spring constant, k of the spring?

PART III. SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION OF A VERTICAL SPRING-MASS SYSTEM

1. Connect the Motion Sensor to the 850 Universal Interface by connecting the yellow plug
to Digital Input 1 and the black plug to Digital Input 2. [If you’re using the blue motion
sensor, connect it to Pasport 1 of the 850 Universal Interface.] Position the Motion
Sensor such that it is vertically aligned with the bottom of the spring-mass system. The
bottom of the weight hanger (with all slotted weights included) should never go lower
than 15 cm from the motion sensor.

2. Launch Capstone. Double click on the “Hardware Set-up” and choose “Motion Sensor
II”. [ For the blue motion sensor, the software automatically detects it.]

3. Click on the “Hardware” set-up again to go back to the display panel. Double click the
graph icon on the upper right display. Click on “Select Measurement” and choose
“Position”. Now you’re ready to generate position vs. time graphs of the oscillation of
the spring-mass system. [Checkpoint 3]

4. Attach the weight hanger with all the 5 slotted weights on it to the spring. Gently pull
down the hanger with weights (around 2 cm), then slowly release to allow the spring to
oscillate vertically up and down. There should be no sideways oscillation. Practice until
the oscillation is just vertically up and down. With the spring already oscillating up and
down, click “Record” and wait until you get around 12 oscillations (about 8 seconds or
more), then “stop”.

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5. Using the highlighter tool, choose 10 oscillations. For the highlighted portion of the graph,
consider the first peak as your “zero” (for reference) and the next peak will be the 1st
complete cycle of oscillation. Continue counting the peaks until you reach the 10th
oscillation. Use the “coordinate tool” to label the 1st and last peak of the highlighted
graph similar to Screenshot 1 shown below. From the coordinates, find the total time to
complete the 10 oscillations and calculate the period (T). Calculate the spring constant k
using equation (4). [Checkpoint 4]

Screenshot 1 Position vs. Time graph of a Spring-Mass in vertical oscillation

6. Do a sinusoidal curve fit for the graph. Make sure the curve fit is visible similar to
Screenshot 1 above. Find the angular frequency ω of the mass-spring system and solve
for the period using equation (3). [Checkpoint 5]

7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for 2 more trials.

8. For Final Report, take a screen shot of one trial of your Capstone graphs with the position-
time coordinates and the sinusoidal curve fit similar to Screenshot 1 and paste it onto a
Word document.

9. Select one clear trial to analyze and include in the Final Report. Add a new plot area to the
graph display to display velocity and acceleration graphs.
Adjust the time scale along x so you see only around 2 or 3
oscillations. [See Screenshot 2.]

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10. Use the “Add multi-coordinates tool” to find the critical points such as the following:
(a) equilibrium position, maximum positive velocity, and zero acceleration, maximum
positive acceleration and (b) lowest position, zero velocity, maximum positive
acceleration.

11. Annotate the points identified in #10 (a) and (b) with the proper unit just like in the
example, Screenshot 2 below. [Checkpoint 5] Take a screenshot of your graph with
annotations and label it as Screenshot 2 for Final Report.

12. In your Analysis and Conclusion, include a short discussion of the position of the spring-
mass system , velocity and acceleration in at least 2 critical positions mentioned in #10
(a) and (b).

Screenshot 2: Position, Velocity, and Acceleration vs. Time Graphs

13. Save your Capstone file , exit, remove the USB from the computer and turn off the 850
Universal Interface. Unplug the motion detector and return all materials to where you
found them.

PART IV. PERIOD OF OSCILLATION USING A TIMER. [OPTIONAL]

Without the motion sensor and 850 Interface, follow step 4 in Part III but use a timer
(cellphone) to find the time it takes to complete 10 oscillations of the spring. It is advisable
that at least 2 or 3 people do the timing and record the average time for the 10 oscillations.
Calculate the period (T) of oscillation. Calculate the spring constant “k” for each period. Show
a sample calculation.
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LAB REPORT CHECKLIST: (Full Lab Report stapled together and in order)

• Abstract (10 pts)

• Data Table (30 pts)
• Excel graph of F vs. ∆L (Force vs. elongation) with answer to guide questions (10 pts)
• Capstone screenshots 1 and 2 of SHM graph (10 pts)
• Sample Calculations and Answers to SHM Analysis questions (30 pts)
• Analysis and Conclusion (10 pts).

04/11/2023

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