Finding Acceleration of Gravity for Springs Without a Given K

1. Feb 8, 2013

Luna413

Finding Acceleration of Gravity for Springs Without a Given "K"

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

What I need is to gather data for the period, displacement, and mass of a certain object put on a spring. Later, I was asked to find the gravity--however I wasn't given a spring constant and I'm left on my own. I haven't been able to successfully calculate a spring constant and acceleration of gravity (I've tried to do this since Monday). For example:

I have:
Period: .96s
Mass: 100g
Displacement: 45cm

2. Relevant equations

F=-kx

T=2$\pi$$\sqrt{m/k}$

3. The attempt at a solution

I thought I could solve for K using the Period of a Mass-Spring System equation (T=...), however, it seems I can't... so I'm a bit lost.

2. Feb 8, 2013

voko

Re: Finding Acceleration of Gravity for Springs Without a Given "K"

What is "displacement"?

Why can't you find k given the period and the mass?