Part 2. Measuring period and determining the formula for period

You won't use the computer for this part. Your measuring instrument will be a stopwatch.

For reference, rewrite your value of spring constant in SI units (numerical value only):  

Place a total of 0.250 kg, including the weight hanger, hanging from the spring.  Keep the weight constant throughout this part of the experiment. Set the spring into oscillation by lifting it up--but not so much as to completely relax the spring--and releasing it. That is, the amplitude of the motion that results should be small. Discuss with your partner how you will measure the period of oscillation of the spring to 3 significant figures.  That means you'll have to be able to show from your data that the first two digits are certain. The third digit may have some uncertainty.  In order to assess the reproducibility of your measurements, you will need to calculate deviations.

Describe your method that you will use to determine the period.

Now take your data.  Record your data on a clean sheet of notebook paper.  Label the page L20-2, and write the partner's names as well as alias on the paper. Present your data in a logically organized and completely labeled table.

Carry out the necessary calculations to determine the period and the mean deviation.

Enter the value of the period ± mean deviation (in seconds) that you determined for the spring with 0.250 kg of mass. Do not write units in the text boxes.

±

In the text box below, write a convincing explanation with quantitative evidence that your value of period has 3 significant figures.

Assuming that the period, T, of an oscillating mass on a spring depends only the spring constant, k, and the mass, m, determine the mathematical combination of k and m that gives the right units for period. This result should be correct to within a constant numerical factor, which will be determined later by experiment.  In the text box below, give your combination and show that the units reduce to those for period.

Using your measured spring constant, mass and period, and your formula above, calculate the numerical constant in your formula for period. Give the result.

Theoretically, what should the constant be?  Look this up if you need to.

Find the percentage error between the calculated and theoretical values of the constant. Take the theoretical value to be accepted.

Turn in your data page to the teacher. Then submit this form. After you do, you'll receive a link to the next part of the lab.