Practical 2 : Investigating simple harmonic motion

Question 1

Equation used

Answer 1

T = 2pi √m/k

Question 2

What are we trying to work out?

Answer 2

K

Question 3

How do we eliminate the square root symbol?

Answer 3

Square the whole equation

Question 4

T = 2pi √m/k equation squared

Answer 4

T^2 = 4pi^2 m/k

Question 5

y-axis

Answer 5

T^2

Question 6

X-axis

Answer 6

m

Question 7

How is k worked out?

Answer 7

4pi^2
———
Gradient

Question 8

Method

Answer 8

T is calculated using the sensor of the smart cart
Set up the cart to graph displacement over time
The cart is set into oscillation and a set of 10 oscillations recorded
The time for 10 oscillations can be accurately measured by the software
Calculate the period of 1 oscillation and its square

Question 9

What graph does the cart graph?

Answer 9

Displacement over time

Question 10

What happened to the time period as mass increased?

Answer 10

Increased

Question 11

What was the energy lost?

Answer 11

Elastic potential energy

Question 12

What happened to energy loss at higher masses?

Answer 12

Higher

Question 13

What kind of graph did period^2 vs mass give?

Answer 13

Straight line

Question 14

Graph plotted

Answer 14

Period^2 vs mass

Question 15

Which equation can be used to confirm the value of k?

Answer 15

k = f/x

Question 16

What did confirming the value of k with k=f/x give us?

Answer 16

Double the value, which is expected as there’s 2 springs