TN17 said:
You could measure time of the oscillations instead of displacement but that probably couldn't be done to the same accuracy.
A vertical spring system is a mechanical system that consists of a spring that is attached to a fixed point at the top and a mass attached to the bottom. When the mass is displaced from its equilibrium position, the spring exerts a restoring force that causes the mass to oscillate up and down.
When a mass is attached to a vertical spring and displaced from its equilibrium position, the spring will stretch or compress depending on the direction of the displacement. This causes the spring to exert a restoring force on the mass, which causes it to oscillate up and down until it eventually comes to rest at the equilibrium position.
The behavior of a vertical spring system is affected by several factors, including the stiffness of the spring, the mass of the object attached to the spring, and the gravitational force acting on the object. Other factors such as air resistance and friction may also play a role in the system's behavior.
The period of oscillation in a vertical spring system can be calculated using the equation T=2π√(m/k), where T is the period in seconds, m is the mass attached to the spring in kilograms, and k is the spring constant in newtons per meter.
Vertical spring systems have many practical applications, such as in shock absorbers for vehicles, suspension systems for bridges and buildings, and as energy storage devices in wind turbines. They are also commonly used in toys, such as pogo sticks and Slinkys, to demonstrate the principles of energy and motion.