Investigation Of the motion of a vibrating spring using the computer

Apparatus

Computer logger, computer, motion sensor, spiral spring and weight with card attached.

Arrangement

1. Attach the motion sensor to DIG/SONIC1 of the computer logger.

2. Open the logger program on the computer.

3. Hang the spiral spring from the retort stand.

4. Hang the weight, with a card attached, on the spring.

5. Place the motion sensor 0.50 m under the card.

6. Click on Set Up.

7. In Set Up menu click on Data Collection.

8. In pop-up window click on Real Time Collect.

9. Click on Sampling

· set Experiment Length at 5 seconds

· set Sampling Speed at 20 samples/second

10. Click on OK.

Procedure

1. Click on View.
2. Click on Graph Layout.
3. Select Three panes.
4. Click on OK.
5. Set the spring oscillating.
6. Click on - three graphs appear on the screen –displacement, velocity and acceleration versus time.
7. Click on Analyze and use Examine in the discussion on Simple Harmonic Motion.

Note

The card is attached to the weight to give a good reflective surface. It is not needed if the base of the weight is large enough.