Proportionality between Frequency and Mass

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the relationship between mass and frequency in a physics experiment involving horizontal circular motion. The initial plot showed a parabolic shape, prompting questions about the correct proportionality. Suggestions included exploring formulas related to springs or pendulums and considering the possibility that frequency may decrease as mass increases. Participants advised plotting frequency against mass squared or its inverse to clarify the relationship. The conversation concludes with acknowledgment of the guidance provided.
HeavyGuy
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Homework Statement



There was an investigation on how mass affected frequency and we had to plot this relationship.


Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution



I plotted frequency as the y-axis and mass as the x-axis. I got this weird parabolic shape opening upwards and I'm not quite sure if this is right at all. If someone could tell me the proportionality between these 2 factors, that'd be great. thanks
 
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Welcome to PF, HeavyGuy.
What was the apparatus?
If it was a spring, you could look up a spring formula relating f and m.
Likewise if it was a pendulum, or whatever.
Perhaps that is making it too easy. You might want to guess what the relationship is. Parabolic certainly suggests a square or a square root. Say you think the formula is f = k*m². Then you compute m² for each data point and plot f vs m². If your formula is correct, you'll get a straight line and its slope will be the k.
 
Delphi51 said:
Welcome to PF, HeavyGuy.
What was the apparatus?
If it was a spring, you could look up a spring formula relating f and m.
Likewise if it was a pendulum, or whatever.
Perhaps that is making it too easy. You might want to guess what the relationship is. Parabolic certainly suggests a square or a square root. Say you think the formula is f = k*m². Then you compute m² for each data point and plot f vs m². If your formula is correct, you'll get a straight line and its slope will be the k.

thanks for the reply. there was a mass attached to a mass and it was swung in a horizontal circular motion above the head. ill try to plot m^2 right now.
 
I forgot the possibility that the frequency decreases as the mass increases. If you have this kind of thing going on, then you need to invert something, for example try f vs 1/m².
 
Delphi51 said:
I forgot the possibility that the frequency decreases as the mass increases. If you have this kind of thing going on, then you need to invert something, for example try f vs 1/m².

thanks a lot for your help. that is correct :)
 

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