Experiment 2: critical damping, Set-up – PASCO ME-6828 Dynamics Cart Magnetic Damping User Manual

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E x p e r i m e n t 2 : C r i t i c a l D a m p i n g

Experiment 2: Critical Damping

Set-up

Set up the equipment as illustrated. Use two or three weak springs combined
end-to-end.

Adjust the angle of the track (or the position of the end stop) so that the cart’s
equilibrium position is about 20 cm from the lower end of the track.

Equipment

Part Number

Dynamics Cart Magnetic Damping

ME-6828

Stopwatch (for Method I)

Motion Sensor (for Method II)

ME-1234

or similar

PS-2103A

or similar

Cart

1, 2

ME-6950, ME-9430,

or ME-9454

Aluminum Track

ME-6953

or similar

Harmonic Springs

1, 3

ME-9803A

or similar

Adjustable End Stop

ME-8971

or similar

IDS Pivot Clamp

ME-9810

Large Table Clamp

ME-9472

90 cm Rod

ME-8738

or similar

These items are components of many PASCO dynamics systems.

Either a plastic or aluminum cart will work; however, the lighter plastic cart allows a relatively greater amount of damping.

This experiment requires a spring or combination of springs with constant between 1.0 N/m and 1.5 N/m. If the spring constant is

too high, over damping will not be achievable.

Magnetic
Damping

Accessory

cart

two or three springs

end-to-end

table clamp

end stop

pivot clamp

rod

Experiment set-up for Critical Damping