3A20.15 - Mass on a Spring - 1 to 4 Masses

Place one mass on the spring and on that mass position a post-it note for a flag for the photogate.  Center the photogate into the center of the flag.  The interface needs to be set to pendulum mode for the photogate which will give time for one complete cycle.  Place four masses on the spring and reset the photogate so it is once more in the middle of the photogate.  The one to four mass ratio should give a doubling of the period.
Code Number:
3A20.15
Demo Title:
Mass on a Spring - 1 to 4 Masses
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Simple Harmonic Motion
Area of Study:
Acoustics
Equipment:
Spring on Vertical Stand, Masses (set), Computer, Interface, and Photogate.
Procedure:

Place one mass on the spring and on that mass position a post-it note for a flag for the photogate.  Center the photogate into the center of the flag.  The interface needs to be set to pendulum mode for the photogate which will give time for one complete cycle.  Place four masses on the spring and reset the photogate so it is once more in the middle of the photogate.  The one to four mass ratio should give a doubling of the period. 

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.