Homework Help: Lab Report Help

1. Sep 23, 2010

chroncile

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I did an experiment of mass vs. period and I got the mass in (g)rams and the period in seconds. My question is, do I have to convert the mass from grams to kilograms?

2. Relevant equations
N / A

3. The attempt at a solution
N / A

2. Sep 23, 2010

illidari

Kilo could be thought of as 1000.

Kilogram>Gram, you want your number to decrease not get bigger.

Grams / 1000 = Kilograms

1000 grams / 1000 = 1kilogram

3. Sep 23, 2010

chroncile

Okay, that doesn't answer my question though; I was asking if it's necessary to convert the mass from (g) to (kg) for the data in the lab report.

4. Sep 23, 2010

kuruman

Mass vs. period of what? A pendulum or a spring-mass system? It makes a difference. What is the equation that gives the period for your system?

5. Sep 23, 2010

chroncile

A spring-mass system. The equation is T = km^0.5 where k is a constant. The value of k differs if the mass is in grams or kilograms. That's why I need to know what to put mass as so that I get the right answer.

6. Sep 23, 2010

kuruman

If it's a spring-mass system, you need to convert to kilograms.

7. Sep 23, 2010

chroncile

Thank you so much

..Wait a minute "I know one thing - that I know no thing.". What?

8. Sep 23, 2010

chroncile

I need help again, the equation I found was T = 1.12 * x^0.5

Do I write it as T = 1.12 * x^0.5 or T = 1.12 * sqrt0.5

9. Sep 24, 2010

kuruman

You write it as

$$T=1.12*\sqrt{x}$$
or
$$T=1.12*x^{1/2}$$