Ramsay A.P.

Physics B Fall 2013

Spring Woods High School

Lab 7: Simple Harmonic Motion

The Mathematical Model for Simple Harmonic Motion

INTRODUCTION
When you suspend an object from a spring, the spring will stretch. If you pull on the object and
release it, it will begin to oscillate up and down. In this experiment, you will examine this kind of
motion, perform a curve fit on the position-time graph, and relate the parameters of the equation
with physical features of the system.

OBJECTIVES
In this experiment, you will
Collect position vs. time data as a mass, hanging from a spring, is set in an oscillating
motion.
Determine the best fit equation for the position vs. time graph of an object undergoing
simple harmonic motion (SHM).
Define the terms amplitude, offset, phase shift, period and angular frequency in the
context of SHM.
Relate the parameters in the best-fit equation for a position vs. time graph to their
physical counterparts in the system.
Use deductive reasoning to predict the system mass required to produce a given value of
angular frequency in the curve fit to SHM.

MATERIALS
Vernier data-collection interface
Logger Pro software
Vernier Motion Detector
ring stand and right angle clamp

Advanced Physics with Vernier Mechanics

spring
mass hanger and standard lab masses
wire basket

Vernier Software & Technology

Experiment 15

PRE-LAB INVESTIGATION
Attach a rod to a vertical support rod using a right-angle clamp. Hang a
spring on the horizontal rod, as shown in Figure 1. Now hang a mass
hanger from the spring as directed by your instructor. Assume that the
bottom of the hanger is the zero position. Pull on the mass hanger slightly
and release it. Observe the motion of the hanger. On the axes below,
sketch a graph of the position of the hanger as a function of time.

Figure 1
Compare your sketch to those of others in the class.

PART 1 EXAMINATION OF SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

PROCEDURE
1. Connect the Motion Detector to the interface connected to a computer and start Logger Pro.
Two graphs, position vs. time and velocity vs. time, will appear in the graph window. For this
experiment, you will need only the position vs. time graph. Delete the velocity-time graph
and choose Auto Arrange from the Page menu.
2. The default data-collection rate is appropriate.
3. If your motion detector has a switch, set it to Track.
4. Place the motion detector on the floor beneath the mass hanger. Place the wire basket over
the motion detector to protect it.
5. Lift the hanger and weights slightly, then release. When the hanger is oscillating smoothly,
begin collecting data.
6. If the position-time graph appears to be a smooth curve, begin the evaluation of data. If not,
repeat until you obtain a smooth curve. If you are satisfied with the data, save this file.

Advanced Physics with Vernier - Mechanics

Simple Harmonic Motion

EVALUATION OF DATA
1. Compare the position-time graph you obtained with the one you sketched in the Pre-Lab
Investigation. In what ways are the graphs similar? In what ways do they differ? What
function appears to describe the position-time behavior of an oscillating body?
2. Before you fit a curve to the position-time graph, turn off Connect Points and turn on Point
Protectors. Since the hanger-mass system moves vertically, double-click on the position
header in the data table and enter y as the short name for position.
3. Use the curve-fitting features of Logger Pro to fit a sine curve to your data. Write the
equation of the representing the motion of the system. Be sure to record the values of the A,
B, C, and D parameters in the curve fit. Later, you can compare these values to the ones you
obtain in Part 2.

PART 2 EXPLORING THE PARAMETERS OF THE SINE FIT

PROCEDURE
1. Create a new Logger Pro file. As before, you will need only the position-time graph. Increase
the data-collection rate to 25 Hz. Now, select the Triggering tab and enable Triggering. In
your class discussion, determine how to use this feature to control when Logger Pro starts
data collection; make sure you understand why you have chosen this setting.
2. Hang the mass hanger and the additional masses assigned to you by your instructor from the
spring. As before, place the motion detector on the floor beneath the mass hanger and place
the wire basket over the motion detector to protect it.
3. Zero the motion detector. Set the masses on the end of the spring in motion, then start data
collection. Logger Pro will begin collecting data at the appropriate point in the motion of the
system. Autoscale the graph. If your position-time graph appears to be a smooth curve, move
on to Step 4; otherwise repeat the run.
Exploring Parameter A

4. Turn off Connect Points and turn on Point Protectors, as before. Choose a sine curve fit as
you did in Part 1. After you click Try Fit in the Curve Fit dialog box, note the value of A
suggested by Logger Pro to fit the data. Within this dialog box, you can adjust the parameters
of the sine fit. Adjustment is made by clicking the + and buttons to the right of the
parameter value. To the right of the + button, you will see a delta () button. Click this
button to control the amount that you change the parameter with the + and buttons. Change
the delta value for the A parameter to 0.01. Now click the + and buttons to see what effect
this has on the test plot to fit the data. Cancel to return to the graph window. What aspect of
the sine function does the A parameter appear to control?
5. Test your conclusion by producing a data set that has an A parameter of 0.10 m. Fit a sine
curve to the graph and check the A parameter. When you have done so, choose Store Latest
Run from the Experiment menu and save the experiment file.
Exploring Parameter D

6. Delete the curve fit to your data; perform a curve fit on Run 1. After clicking the Try Fit
button, change the value of D in the sine fit by increments of 0.01 to see what attribute of
the sine function is controlled by the D parameter.

Advanced Physics with Vernier - Mechanics

Experiment 15
7. Test your conclusion by producing a data set that has about the same value of A as before,
but with a D parameter of 0.05 m. Choose a sine fit to check D. When you have done so,
store this latest run, then choose Hide the Data Set for Run 2. Only your first run should
appear on the graph.
Exploring Parameter C

8. Choose a sine function to fit the graph in your first run. As before, click the Try Fit button,
then note whether Logger Pro used a value other than 0 for the C parameter. If so, substitute
0 for the value of C and compare this fit to the one originally suggested. If Logger Pro
suggested 0 (or a value very close to 0), change C to 6.28 and note the effect on the curve fit.
9. Return the value of C to 0, then increase its value incrementally until you reach 1.6. By what
fraction of a complete cycle has the test plot shifted from the original fit to the data? If you
are unable to tell for sure, gradually increase C until you reach a value of 3.14 (). Click
Cancel to return to the graph window.
10. To control the value of C in an experiment, you must control the time at which you start
collecting data. Choose Data Collection from the Experiment menu and click the Triggering
tab. Select the Triggering check box and click On Keyboard to begin data collection.
11. Re-zero the motion detector with the mass at rest, then set the hanger-mass system in simple
harmonic motion. Click the Collect button; no data will be collected until you press the space
bar. When the hanger has reached the position you believe corresponds to a C value of 1.6,
press the space bar. If the value of C in the sine fit does not match your expectations, repeat
data collection until you have a run in which C is within 0.1 of 1.6. Store this latest run
then hide the Data Set for Run 3.
Exploring Parameter B

You may have noticed that none of the changes you made to the system or the time you began
collecting data had any effect on the value of B. Taking a closer look at B; its units must be
radians/s in order for the sine function to operate on the argument (Bt + C). The B parameter is a
measure of how frequently the hanger and mass oscillate.
12. Choose a sine function to fit the graph in your first run. As before, click the Try Fit button,
then increase the value of B incrementally to see what effect this change has on the time
required to complete one cycle. Now, change B to 6.28, and note the time to complete one
cycle. Consider why this is the case.
13. Predict the effect on B of reducing the mass of the hanger and masses to half of its original
value. To test your prediction, return the data-collection conditions to those you used when
you explored parameters A and D. Re-zero the motion detector, set the lighter hanger-mass
system in simple harmonic motion, then collect data.
14. Fit a sine function to your graph as before. Does the value of B agree with your prediction?
Store this latest run and save the Logger Pro file; you will return to it later.

Advanced Physics with Vernier - Mechanics

Simple Harmonic Motion

EVALUATION OF DATA
To help you evaluate your data, you can return to your Logger Pro file and, by selecting More on
the vertical axis, you can choose to view the position for any of your saved runs.
Exploring Parameter A

The name given to the A parameter is amplitude. What physical aspect of the system did you
need to control in order to produce a data set with an amplitude of 0.10 m? Given the function
y = Asin(Bt + C) + D , explain why A governs the maximum or minimum value of y in the graph.
Exploring Parameter D

Describe how you modified your experimental apparatus to produce a graph with the D
parameter (known as the offset) equal to 0.05 m. After having made this change, how could you
have produced a graph that was symmetrical about the time axis?

Exploring Parameter C

Considering how you set up Logger Pro to collect data, explain why the value of C was very
nearly 0 or 2 in your first run. At what point in the cycle did you begin to collect data in order
to make C ~ /2? At what point in the cycle would you have had to begin collecting data in order
to make the value of C ~ ? Explain.
Exploring Parameter B

The time required to complete a cycle is known as the period, T, of oscillation. Divide 2 by T
and compare the value to B. The name given to the B parameter is angular frequency, . From
what you know about trigonometry and the unit circle, explain why the period of the sine
function was one second when you changed B to 6.28 rad/s.

From a consideration of the elastic and kinetic energy of the oscillating system, it can be shown
that = k m . This explains the fact that reducing the mass to half of its original value did not
double the frequency. Calculate what hanging mass would oscillate at double the angular
frequency you obtained in your first run. Return to your experimental set up and re-open (if
necessary) your Logger Pro file. Hide all but your first run, then perform a new run to test your
prediction. How close did your results come to your prediction?
Consider any other factors that may have an effect on the value you obtain for B. After your
discussion, make the necessary adjustment to the hanging mass to test your prediction and
perform another run. Save your Logger Pro file in case your instructor wishes to examine it.

Advanced Physics with Vernier - Mechanics

Experiment 15

EXTENSION DAMPED HARMONIC MOTION

In this experiment, you stopped collecting data before frictional losses slowed the hanging mass
appreciably. Set up another experiment in which you collect data for 10 seconds. Tape half of an
index card to the bottom of the mass to provide greater air resistance. Collect data for a run and
fit a sine function to the graph as you have done before. In what way does this function no longer
match the position-time behavior of the oscillating body?
In a new data set use the Examine tool to record the time and position of the amplitude for each
of the peaks in your graph. Fit an exponential function to the max-position vs. time data; record
the C parameter of the exponential term exp(Ct). Note that this C is different from the C in
the sine fit. Now, return to your first data set, choose Curve Fit and select the sine function. After
you choose Try Fit (so that Logger Pro suggests values for the parameters) select Define
Function. Multiply the existing function by exp(C*t) using the value of C you recorded earlier;
give the function a sensible name (such as sine-decay). Wait until Logger Pro has built this
function, then click Try Fit. Wait again until you see a trace appear on the test graph. You may
need to replace the values of B and C with the values from your sine fit to the graph. Discuss
why this more complex function better describes the position-time behavior of an object
undergoing damped harmonic motion.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
You are to complete a thorough lab report and submit as a PDF on Canvas no later than Sunday,
December 8th, at 11:59 pm. Focus on the theory, and be sure to include as many graphs as you
need in order to make your analysis complete. This is a great investigation lab, so if you feel like
you are not investigating then youre probably missing a key thing or two. Feel free to ask any
questions either during class or via email.

Advanced Physics with Vernier - Mechanics