Pasco Scientific ME-6956, Instruction Manual And Experiment Manual

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PAScar Accessory Track Set (2.2 Meter) 012-07558A
®
Table 5.1
Added Mass Position
Displacement from
Equilibrium
Measuring the Experimental Period
6. Displace the car from equilibrium a specific distance and let it go. Time 3 oscillations
and record the time in Table 5.2.
7. Repeat this measurement at least 5 times, using the same initial displacement (ampli-
tude).
8. Change the angle of the incline and repeat steps 6 and 7.
Calculations
Theoretical Period
1. Using the data in Table 5.1, calculate the force caused by the additional mass in the car:
F = mg sin
θ
, where
θ
is the angle of incline. Plot force versus displacement. Draw the
best-fit straight line through the data points and determine the slope of the line. The
slope is equal to the effective spring constant, k.
k = ______________
2. Using the mass of the car and the spring constant, calculate the period using the
theoretical formula.
T = ______________
Force (mg sin
θ
)
Equilibrium position = ______________
Mass of car = ______________
Angle of incline = ______________