Simple Harmonic Motion Lab.pdf - Aryan Patel 10/24/21 PHY...

Aryan Patel
10/24/21
PHY 133
TA: Wei-Yang Liu
Simple Harmonic Motion Lab

Introduction: The purpose of this lab is to experimentally determine the angular frequency of a simple
harmonic oscillator, and test the relationship between the mass of the object and the angular frequency of
the oscillator. Simple harmonic motion is a type of oscillatory motion that occurs when a mass on a spring
is subject to a restoring force. This force is directly proportional to the displacement of the mass from the
equilibrium position of the system, and always accelerates the mass in the direction of the equilibrium
position. The period of this oscillation can be summarized by the following equation, where m is the mass
and k is the spring constant.
𝑇 = 2Π
𝑚
𝑘
Procedure:
Part I: Finding “Known” Mass of Device
- Attach the screw to the top of the device
- Place the device on a table so that the y-direction is pointing upwards towards the ceiling.
- Record data for 1 second as the device sits on the table, then lift it slowly and hold it steady.