KING MONGKUT’S INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LATKRABANG

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING GROUP OF (CHEM-COM-IElM : Group no.11)

01006702– PHYSICS - I LABORATORY

LAB TITLE: SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

INSTRUCTED BY: ASHAN KUDABALAGE

NAME: THUREIN WIN HEIN 65011686

GROUP NO: CHEM-COM-IELM 11

DATE OF SUB.: 7/NOV/2022
1. Purpose
 To understand simple harmonic motion.
 Which factors effect SMH and which factors are not.
 How oscillation of spring-mass system is related to the pendulum.
 How can we describe SMH mathematically.

2.Theory
Simple harmonic motion is repetitive back and forth motion through the equilibrium position.

We can represent simple harmonic motion as sinusoidal waves.

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Position y = A sin (𝜔 t)

Velocity v = A 𝜔 cos (𝜔 t)

Acceleration a = - A 𝜔2 sin (𝜔 t)

A = amplitude

T = time

𝜔= angular frequency
Motion of spring-mass system and pendulum are simple harmonic motion.

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𝑚
(1) Period for spring mass system, 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ 𝑘
Assumptions – spring is massless, no damping effect, no side twisting of the spring
𝑙
(2) For simple pendulum, 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √
𝑔
Assumptions – no stretching in the pendulum chord, frictionless pivot, no air resistance on the
pendulum bob.

T = period
m = mass attached to the spring
k = spring constant
l = length of the pendulum
g = acceleration due to gravity
3.LAB Exercises
1.
A = 2cm = 0.02m

Period T = 5s
2𝜋
Angular frequency 𝜔 = 𝑇
= 0.4 𝜋

Position y = A sin (𝜔 t)

y = 0.02 sin (0.4 𝜋 t)

Horizontal axis – t(s)

Vertical axis – y (m)

Velocity v = A 𝜔 cos (𝜔 t)

v = 0.008 𝜋 cos (0.4 𝜋 t)

Horizontal axis – t(s)

Vertical axis – v (m/s)

Acceleration a = - A 𝜔2 sin (𝜔 t)

A = - 0.0032 𝜋 2 sin (0.4 𝜋 t)

Horizontal axis – t(s)

Vertical axis – a (m/s2)

Position Velocity Acceleration

point A (1.25s) 0.02 0 -0.0316
point B (2.5s) 0 -0.0251 0
point C (3.75s) -0.02 0 0.0316
point D (5s) 0 0.0251 0
point E (6.25s) 0.02 0 -0.0316
Reference – equilibrium (0)

Above the equilibrium (+y)

𝜋
(Phase ф = 2 compared to above graphs)
2.

Elongation x = 3 cm = 0.03 m

Mass m = 102 g = 0.102 kg

g = 9.81 ms2

The mass-spring system is in static equilibrium.

(a) Load on the spring = m g

= 0.102 x 9.81
=1.000 N (3 decimal place)
(b) F = kx
k = F/x
k = 1.000 / 0.03
= 3.333 N/m2

The mass is pushed up by +2.00cm and released.

2𝜋 𝑘
(c) Angular frequency, 𝜔 = = √
𝑇 𝑚

3.333
=√
0.102

= 5.716 rad/s

1 1 𝑘
(d) Frequency, 𝑓 = 𝑇
= 2𝜋 √𝑚

1 3.333
= 2𝜋 √0.102

=0.909 Hz

𝑚
(e) Period, 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ 𝑘

0.102
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √3.333

T= 1.099 s

(f) Amplitude, A = 2cm = 0.02m

(g) Equation of motion, y = A sin 2 𝜋𝑓𝑡
y = 0.02 sin 𝜔𝑡
y = 0.02 sin 5.716 t
2. For spring 1 For spring 2

Mass m is attached at the end. Mass m is attached at the end.

𝑀 𝑀
𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑, 𝑡1 = 2𝜋 √𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑, 𝑡2 = 2𝜋 √𝑘
1 2

𝑀 𝑀
𝑘1 = 4𝜋 2 𝑡 2 𝑘2 = 4𝜋 2 𝑡 2
1 2

The two springs are connected in series and Mass M is attached at the end.

𝑘1∗𝑘2
𝑘𝑠 = 𝑘1+𝑘2
1 1 1
𝑘𝑠
=𝑘 +𝑘
1 2

1 1 1
= 𝑀 + 𝑀
𝑘𝑠 4𝜋2 2 4𝜋2 2
𝑡 1 𝑡 2

4𝜋2 𝑀
𝑘𝑠 =
𝑡12 +𝑡22

𝑀
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √𝑘
𝑠

𝑀(𝑡12 +𝑡22 )
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √
4𝜋2 𝑀

𝑇 = √𝑡12 + 𝑡22

t1 = period of spring 1

t2 = period of spring 2

Ts = period of series
4.Experiment 1
4.1 Procedure
 We choose the thickest spring and connect spring to the apparatus.
 Mass hanger of 50 g is connected to the spring.
 Mass hanger is pulled down a short distance and let go.
 We make sure the spring produce a steady up and down motion without twisting sideways.
 We record videos of spring movement (10 oscillations) to later measure the period. (The process
will be included in the calculation part).
 We added 20 and 40 g weights to the mass hanger and same process is repeated.

4.2 Observations
 We observe that spring oscillation period does not depend on the distance we stretched it from its
equilibrium position.
 But, if we push the spring with too much force, spring produce unstable oscillations.
 Spring shows damping effects as its amplitude gets smaller and smaller after time and it stops.
 If we add larger masses, the spring oscillations gets slower.

4.3 Calculation
4.3.1 Measuring period using tracker software
We use tracker software to get more precise measurement of Period. We mark a point every time
spring passes it equilibrium position. In this way we measure the time for 10 oscillations.

4.3.2 Spring constant calculation

𝑚
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ 𝑘

𝑚
𝑇 2 = 4𝜋 2 𝑘

𝑇2 1
𝑚
= 4𝜋 2 𝑘

4𝜋2
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇 2 𝑣𝑠 𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ =
𝑘

4𝜋2
𝑘 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇 2 𝑣𝑠 𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ

T = period of the spring

k = Spring constant

m = mass attached
4.4 Results
Vibrating Time for 10 oscillations(s)
Observed period(s)
mass 1 2 3 Avg
50 g 3.135 3.135 3.168 3.146 0.3146 +/- 0.0017
70g 3.57 3.57 3.625 3.588 0.3588 +/- 0.0028
90g 4.037 4.035 4.037 4.036 0.4036 +/- 0.0001

T2 vs m graph
0.18
0.16 0.1629
0.14
0.12
0.1287
0.1 0.099
T2(S2)

0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0.05 0.07 0.09
MASS (KG)

0.099 0.1287 0.1629

Slope of the graph from 0.05kg to 0.07kg, m= (0.1287-0.099)/ (0.07-0.05)

= 1.485 s2/kg

Slope of the graph from 0.07kg to 0.09kg, m= (0.1629-0.1287)/ (0.09-0.07)

= 1.71 s2/kg

Avg slope = 1.5975 +/- 0.1125 s2/kg

4𝜋2
𝑘 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇 2 𝑣𝑠 𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ

𝑘 = 24.7126 ± 1.7403 N/m

4.4 Conclusion
We can conclude that
(1) As we increase the mass attached to the spring, its period also increases.
(2) We can find the value of k from slope of the T2 vs m graph.
(3) We cannot know relative error value as we don’t know the actual value of k.
(4) The value of k must have certain amount of error since we make assumptions that (1) spring has
no damping effect. (2) spring is massless (3) side twisting of the spring is neglected.
5.Experiment2
5.1 Procedure
 We adjust pendulum to the length of 50 cm (till the center of mass of the bob) and the chord is
firmly fastened.
 We first use rubber bob as the pendulum.
 We swing the rubber bob pendulum, and videos of pendulum movement (10 oscillations) is
recorded to later measure the period using tracker software.
 We change pendulum bobs (Tin and Copper), and same process is repeated.
 Then we keep the same pendulum bob, and the length is changed to 39cm and 30cm.
 The oscillation of pendulum bobs with different lengths is recorded.

5.2 Observation
 We observe that pendulum oscillation period does not depend on the distance we moved the
bob from its equilibrium position.
 The pendulum amplitude decreases with time, and it stops.
 We change the different bobs but the time for 10 oscillations does not change.
 But when we shorten the length, oscillation of the pendulum gets faster.

5.3 Calculation
For simple pendulum

𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √𝑔

Length of the pendulum, l = 50cm = 0.5m

Period does not depend on mass of the bob.

Mass of the bob calculated period

Rubber (0.05kg) 1.42s

Tin(0.0245kg) 1.42s
Copper(0.0689kg) 1.42s

We changed the length of the pendulum from 50cm to 39cm and 30cm.

length of the pendulum calculated period

0.5m 1.42s
0.39m 1.25s
0.3m 1.10s
We can calculate related error using calculated period values.

Relative error = (observed period – calculated period) / calculated period

5.4 Results
Time for 10 oscillations(s) Relative
Mass of the bob Observed period(s)
1 2 3 Avg error
Rubber (50g) 15.665 15.678 15.645 15.663 1.5663 +/- 0.0017 10.30%
Tin (24.5g) 15.67 15.571 15.604 15.616 1.5615 +/- 0.0050 9.96%
Copper (68.9g) 15.61 15.568 15.676 15.618 1.5618 +/- 0.0054 9.99%

length of Time for 10 oscillations(s) Relative

Observed period(s)
the pendulum 1 2 3 Avg error
30cm 11.275 11.308 11.374 11.319 1.1319 +/- 0.0050 2.90%
39cm 12.808 12.81 12.742 12.787 1.2787 +/- 0.0034 2.30%
50cm 15.67 15.571 15.604 15.615 1.5615 +/- 0.0050 10.30%

5.5 Conclusion
We can conclude that

(1) Period of the pendulum does not depend on the mass of the bob.
(2) But if we shortened the length of the pendulum, its period decreases.
(3) We’ve got relative error percentage of around 1 to 10 %. This error might come from (1) not being
able to measure the exact length till center of mass of bob. (2) neglecting slight elongation of the
chord (3) neglecting damping effect (friction force between the chord and the pole, and air
resistance on the bob.

6.Discussion
𝑚
(1) Period for spring mass system, 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √
𝑘
For this equation, we make assumptions that spring mass that (1) spring has no damping effect. (2)
spring is massless (3) side twisting of the spring is neglected.
Due to these assumptions, the space would be an ideal place to perform this experiment.

As there is no gravitational force in space, ideal balances used on earth would no work in space.
𝑇2𝑘
But we can measure the mass of an object in space by using spring mass system as 𝑚 = 4𝜋2
if we
know spring constant k.
(2) For simple pendulum

𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √𝑔

We can measure time using simple pendulum as period of the pendulum is constant when we fixed the
length.

It will not be an ideal device for measuring gravitational acceleration of an unknown planet since you
need to bring pendulum to the surface of this planet, but we can measure gravitational acceleration
4𝜋2 𝑙
using pendulum as 𝑔 = 𝑇2
.