Finding the Value of Acceleration Due to Gravity: Using Graphs and Equations

[Motorbiker]

Hello everyone,

I did an experiment titled 'mass on a spiral spring' in order to find the value for the acceleration due to gravity. The experiment consists of two parts. In the first part of this experiment, I just measured the oscillation period of a spring as a suspended mass and plotted these results onto a graph to find the spring constant.

In the 2nd part of the experiment, I measured the ratio of the extension of the spring as a function of suspended mass and plotted these results onto a graph, creating an e/m graph and then found the gradient of it.

My question to you is to find the value of the acceleration of gravity, do you simply multiply the gradients of both graphs?

Thanks a lot

 

[berkeman]

Hello everyone,

I did an experiment titled 'mass on a spiral spring' in order to find the value for the acceleration due to gravity. The experiment consists of two parts. In the first part of this experiment, I just measured the oscillation period of a spring as a suspended mass and plotted these results onto a graph to find the spring constant.

In the 2nd part of the experiment, I measured the ratio of the extension of the spring as a function of suspended mass and plotted these results onto a graph, creating an e/m graph and then found the gradient of it.

My question to you is to find the value of the acceleration of gravity, do you simply multiply the gradients of both graphs?

Thanks a lot

Welcome to the PF.

(In future schoolwork posts here, please fill out the Homework Help Template that you are provided -- it helps a lot in organizing the question and showing the relevant equations).

So what exactly are the relevant equations? Can you show what you mean by using the gradients of the two graphs -- why will that give you the value of g? (it might, but it would help to see the equations behind that assertion)...

 

[Motorbiker]

One equation is:
T=kx

the tension force, T, in the spring is proportional to the extension x produced.

and another equation is g=(e/m)xk

The gradient of first graph gives the spring constant k and the gradient of the 2nd graph is (e/m) hence I think the gradients of both graphs give the value of g.

I appreciate your help