PASCO ME-6962 PAStrack Systems - Manual (Page 14)

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P A S t r a c k S y s t e m s E x p e r i m e n t 3 : S i m p l e H a r m o n i c O s c i l l a t o r
14
2. Using the data in Table 3.1, plot force versus position. Draw the best-fit straight
line through the data points and determine the slope of the line. The slope is equal
to the effective spring constant, k.
k = ______________
3. Using the mass of the cart and the spring constant, calculate the theoretical period
of the cart alone and with added mass.
theoretical period of cart alone ________________
theoretical period of cart with added mass ________________
Experimental Period
1. Using the data in Table 3.2, calculate the average time for 5 oscillations with and
without 500 g of mass added to the cart.
2. Calculate the period by dividing these average times by 5 and record the periods
in Table 3.2.
Comparison
Calculate the percent difference between the measured and theoretical values:
cart alone percent difference = ________________
cart with added mass percent difference = ________________
Questions
1. Does the period of oscillation increase or decrease as the mass is increases? Does
a more massive cart oscillate faster or slower?
2. If the initial displacement from equilibrium (the amplitude) is changed, does the
period of oscillation change? Try it.
Table 3.2: Experimental Data
Trial Time for 5
Oscillations
Period
1 period of cart without added mass
2
3
4
5
Average
1 period of cart with 500 g added mass
2
3
4
5
Average