De La Salle University Dasmarias College of Science Physical Science Department

Experiment # 2 SPRING-MASS SYSTEM IN SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION (HOOKES LAW)

Nyza Faustine S.P. Ho HUB 43 Group 1 Tuesday 10:00-13:00 Date of performance: July 2, 2013 Date of Submission: July 9, 2013

July 9, 2013

Abstract Hookes Law is referred to the elongation of the spring and its elastic behavior. Both of which were observed in the experiment. The frequency and periods of oscillation were also noted during the experiment. The elasticity of the spring was also compared to the elasticity of 2 types of rubber bands and the vibrations were compared. Using the spring, the time needed for the complete vibrations to occur was directly proportional to the mass of the load. Thus, the higher the mass of the load, the more time it needs to complete a full vibration. Different results were obtained using the rubber bands as the materials have different elastic limits. The rubber bands were not able to complete 50 vibrations even when the force was increased. This proves the difference of the materials used greatly affects the vibration which occurs within the spring and rubber bands even though the masses used were the same. Introduction The extension of a spring is directly proportional to the load applied to it is stated by Robert Hooke in 1660. The extension of a spring is reversible by removing the load on the spring. This will allow the spring to go back to its original form. It also states that stress is directly proportional to strain in respect to the Hookean materials which are elastic materials which can withstand stretching and returning back to its original form, given that it doesnt exceed the materials elastic limit. Methodology The spring was weighed using the triple beam balance. The Hookes law apparatus was set up and the spring and attached ruler was calibrated.
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The weight hanger was also weighed before it was hung on the curved end of the spring. Some mass was added to the hanger so it reached zero before the more mass was added and the stretched distance or displacement of the spring was noted. The spring must be in a stable position while the displacement readings were being taken. The procedure was repeated four times and every time, 100 grams was added to the set up. The average displacement was taken by the formula: Displacement: dave. = (d1 + d2 + d3 + d4 + d5) / 5

The relationship of the displacement and load was then graphed. After the displacement was taken, additional 2 cm displacement was added to the spring and it was allowed to vibrate vertically without rotation. 50 vibrations were measured five times for each load. Results Load (g) Trial 1 (spring) 50 vibrations d1 100 200 300 400 500 Total 1 in 2.4 in 3.7 in 4.9 in 5.8 in 17.8 t1 29.18 s 33.67 s 38.03 s 41.92 s 44.84 s 187.64 Trial 2 (rubber) 10 vibrations d2 0.5 in 1 in 1.8 in 2.5 in 3.2 in 9 t2 3.69 s 4.25 s 5.14 s 5.92 s 6.76 s 25.76 Trial 3 (small rubber) 10 vibrations d3 1.8 in 3.4 in 4.8 in 6 in 6.5 in 22.5 t3 6.05 s 4.78 s 5.30 s 4.49 s 20.62

Table 1: Displacement and Times for 50 and 10 vibrations per Trial for each load
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Mass (g) (load)

Average

Average

Period, T (sec)

Frequency, F (Hz)
% error

displacement time for 10 (m) vibrations (sec)

EV

TV

EV

TV

% error

100 200 300 400 500

1.1 2.27 3.43 4.47 5.17

12.97 14.23 16.16 17.44 17.2

0.59 0.60 0.70 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.57 0.59 0.58 0.55

1% 5% 3% 2% 3%

1.71 1.49 1.31 1.19 1.12

1.69 1.42 1.63 1.75 1.72

2% 7% 32% 56% 60%

Force constant, k = 18.25 Mass of spring, m3 = 6.6g Mass of weight hanger mwh=24.5g Mass of Rubber mR = 1g Table 2: Experimental value, Theoretical value, %error for period, Frequency and angular frequency Discussion/Analysis There were different elastic materials used to measure the data in table 1, thus the significant differences in the time and displacement of each trial in the different weight of the load used. The elastic limit of the 2 rubber bands cannot be compared to the elasticity of the metal spring because the rubber bands cannot withstand the stress and strain when the load has been placed. The rubber materials were not able to complete 50 vibrations like the spring. However it was able to complete a total of 10 vibrations without reaching its breaking point. The smaller rubber band was

not able to hold the 500g weight without stretching too much that it reached the table and settled on it, thus no vibration was completed. In table 2, the comparison of the experimental data and theoretical data was observed and some differences were greatly significant, which can be due to human error or faulty equipment used, probably due to deterioration of the equipment used or difference in the quality of the materials such as the rubber bands. Some error is quite significant as well. Conclusion The relationship between the forces applied to a spring and its elasticity is described by the Hookes law. This can be used to determine the elastic limit of an elastic material to determine how much load it can hold without breaking or without having irreversible damage done on it. The Hookes Law can be observed in the suspension of cars as the springs allow the car to remain stable with less shaking from the inside as the energy is absorbed by the spring and this vibration causes upward and downward motions. It is important to take note of the elastic limit of each material before subjecting it to huge amounts of mass for the elastic limit of each material differs from its composition and sometimes its thickness as well. References http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/271336/Hookes-law http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/permot2.html http://www.universetoday.com/55027/hookes-law/