Physics Lab Question- any ideas?

[bcjochim07]

Physics Lab Question-- any ideas?

For our physics lab hung a mass attached to spring above a motion detector. First we took some data with the spring at rest. Using this data, we determined our zo value.

Then we set the spring in motion and took data. Using position, velocity, and time data, we calculated K, U, & K+U = mechanical energy (E)

We were given this info to plot the data on a graph

x= -.5(z-zo)^2 y=.5Mv^2

y=kx+E Plotting this on a graph, we determined the value of k & E

U= .5(z-zo)^2
K= .5mv^2

Now the question: Could this lab be done by hanging the spring mass system from a force probe instead of a distance probe ? How would you do the analysis?

I think this could be done, but I am having trouble visualizing how. Every idea I come up with needs the distance probe also. For example, I thought about how Force= -dU/ds and had this idea: Pull down on the mass-spring system to a measured distance and record the reading of the force probe there. From this you can determine the potential energy and thus the mechanical energy, since there is no KE initially. Then to determine k, hang the mass spring system from a force probe & record the force reading. Then measure the distance the spring stretches from its eq. position using F=-kx you can determine k. But all of these ideas seem to require distance. I have thought long and hard about this but I just can seem to find the right idea.

 

[anathema]

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your lab question with us. I'm a physicist and I would be happy to provide some ideas for your lab.

Firstly, I think it is definitely possible to use a force probe instead of a distance probe for this lab. One way to do this would be to hang the mass-spring system from the force probe and record the force reading at different positions as the spring oscillates. This would give you a plot of force versus position, which you can then use to determine the spring constant (k) by finding the slope of the line.

To determine the mechanical energy (E), you could use the same approach as you did with the distance probe. Measure the potential energy (U) at different positions using the force probe and then calculate the kinetic energy (K) using the relationship K= E-U. This would give you a plot of kinetic energy versus position, which you can then use to determine the total mechanical energy (E).

Another idea would be to use the force probe to measure the force as the spring oscillates and then use the relationship F=-kx to determine the displacement (x) of the mass-spring system at different points. This would give you a plot of displacement versus force, which you can then use to determine the spring constant (k) and the mechanical energy (E).

I hope these ideas help and give you a starting point for your analysis. Let me know if you have any further questions or if you need more clarification. Good luck with your lab!

 

[Moetasim]

One possible approach to analyzing this lab with a force probe would be to use Hooke's Law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position. In this case, the force probe would measure the force exerted by the spring as it is pulled or pushed by the mass.

To determine the value of k, you could hang the spring-mass system from the force probe and record the force reading at different displacements. Then, using Hooke's Law, you could plot a graph of force vs. displacement and determine the slope, which would be equal to k.

To determine the mechanical energy (E), you could use the same approach as before by pulling down on the mass-spring system to a measured distance and recording the force reading from the force probe. From this, you can calculate the potential energy using the formula U=-FΔx, where Δx is the displacement of the spring. Then, using the relationship K+U=E, you can determine the value of E.

Overall, the analysis would be very similar to the original lab, but instead of using a distance probe, you would use a force probe to measure the displacement and force of the spring-mass system. This would still allow you to determine the values of k and E and plot them on a graph.