Pasco Scientific ME-9429A, Instruction Manual And Experiment Manual

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Dynamics Cart Accessory Track Set 012-05035E
Experiment 3: Simple Harmonic Oscillator
Notes on Procedure
➅
For best results, make sure that the springs are nei-
ther over-stretched nor hanging loose. For these
tests, we used 10-50g masses only.
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
0.45
0.5
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16
Force (N)
Distance (m)
f(x) = 3.0*x + 1.994434E-3
R^2 = 9.996646E-1
Notes on Calculations
➀
The spring constant k = 3.089 N/m for the springs
used here. This value will vary from spring to
spring.
➁
Theoretical values will vary, depending on the
value for k and for m. For best results, measure the
carts rather than assume their weight to be the
stated 500g.
Notes on Comparison
The percent difference between experimental and
theoretical values should be less than 2%, and it is
not unusual to obtain errors of less than 0.5%.
Notes on Questions
➀
The period of oscillation increases with mass. The
more massive cart oscillates slower.
➁
The period is not changed, as long as the initial dis-
placement does not exceed the linear region of the
spring. You will notice a slight difference if the dis-
placement is enough to permanently deform the
spring.