Aluminum Rod Weight on Linear Spring and Computer
Aluminum Rod Weight on Linear Spring, Tall Glass Cylinders, Water
Aluminum Rod Weight on Linear Spring, Tall Glass Cylinders, Water
Set up for Damped Mass on Spring demo

 

Code Number: 3A50.10

Demo Title: Simple Harmonic Motion - Damped Mass on Spring

Condition: Good

Principle: Simple Harmonic Motion

Area of Study: Oscillations & Acoustics

Equipment: 

Aluminum Rod Weight on Linear Spring, Tall Glass Cylinders, Water, Shampoo, Shampoo and Water Solutions of Different Concentrations, Pasco Harmonic Motion Analyzer, Copper Plates, Computer, and Interface with Motion Sensor.

Procedure:

Place the desired copper plate on the bottom of the rod.  Hang it over the edge of the table so that you can place the motion sensor on the floor facing up at the plate.  Start the plate in motion with about a 45 cm up and down oscillation and observe the damping curve in real time on the computer.

Place the rod in one of the glass cylinders so that it can move up and down freely.  Fill the cylinder with water and observe the time for 10 oscillations.  Now place the rod in a cylinder that has shampoo in it and again observe the time for 10 oscillations.  If desired with the use of the cardboard plate at the top of the rod you may do measurements with the sonic sensors and computer interface.

The Pasco harmonic motion analyzer can be used for this demonstration also.  Put the desired amount of damping liquid in a cylinder and place it under the oscillator.  Do not turn on the analyzer, just pull up or down on the spring and release.  The amplitude and the frequency can still be read out on the analyzer.

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3A50.10 - Damped Mass on a Spring
3A50.10 - Dr. James Wetel, PHYS 1611 - Damped Harmonic Motion