Verifying Properties of SHM Using Vertical and Inclined Spring Systems

[TN17]

Homework Statement

Our lab was to find the spring constant of the springs that we were using, and then verify the properties of SHM.
We used a vertical spring system AND an inclined spring system.
We used 3 different springs for both systems.
For the vertical system:
We hung the 3 springs and recorded how far it stretched for 2 different masses (50 g and 100 g). We also found the period for all of the springs.
For the inclined system:
We attached the 3 different springs each to a car, then measured the period of it for that spring.
Then we added the 100 g mass to each of the cars and recorded that period.

How can we verify the properties of SHM using what we have?
For example, can show that amplitude doesn't affect period?
We can't really compare the same spring with the same mass in the vertical system to the inclined system because we pulled down the springs at different lengths.

 

[dacruick]

Hi TIN7,

Does your data reflect the fact that amplitude doesn't affect period?

Pulling down on the string at different lengths means you are providing more energy, and therefore a higher amplitude. So when you do this, do you have measurements for the period of oscillations?

 

[TN17]

Hi TIN7,

Does your data reflect the fact that amplitude doesn't affect period?

Pulling down on the string at different lengths means you are providing more energy, and therefore a higher amplitude. So when you do this, do you have measurements for the period of oscillations?

That's the thing - we couldn't really compare the vertical system to the inclined system with the same mass and spring.
FOr the vertical system, we had the 100g and 50 g masses, and we pulled down the springs by 1 cm.
For the inclined system, we only used the 100 g and the mass of the car, and we pulled down the springs by 5 cm this time.

(Because the ramp was longer and it was possible, but the vertical system was kind of short and if we pulled it down any further for the strongest spring, the mass would fly off.)

 

[dacruick]

If you have information recorded about the period of each of your trials, You should be able to make a graph of period versus mass. See if you can make a connection that supports your data from that.

 

[TN17]

If you have information recorded about the period of each of your trials, You should be able to make a graph of period versus mass. See if you can make a connection that supports your data from that.

Thank you. : )