PHYSICS IA

TOPIC:
How does the cross-sectional area of the
card attached to a vibrating mass affect the
displacement of the mass after twenty
oscillations?

-Taksh Pathak

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 Table of Contents
Introduction 3

Rationale 3

Experimental Setup 3

Data Collection and Analysis 6

Mechanism 6

Implications of Findings 7

Data Reliability 9

Comparative Analysis 10

Potential Applications 10

Conclusion 10

References 12

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Introduction
Many mechanical systems rely on vibrational dynamics to determine how well and how steadily
they work. There has been an investigation, after twenty oscillations, of the correlation between
the card's cross-sectional area and the displacement caused by a vibrating mass. The working
hypothesis is that changing the cross-sectional area of the card also change the damping force
and thus the mass displacement. The complex relationship between vibrational behaviour and
cross-sectional area is the focus of this investigation.
Rationale
Understanding and controlling vibrational dynamics is crucial for many engineering and physics
applications, which is why this work is being conducted. This experiment deals with a basic
feature of damping forces by studying how the displacement of a vibrating mass is affected by
the card's cross-sectional area. The complex interplay between card dimensions, air resistance,
and vibrational amplitudes is elucidated in this investigation. When combined with theoretical
predictions, the observed trends provide useful information for developing vibration-controlled
system designs. Optimal damping effects can improve stability, efficiency, and safety in
structural engineering, machinery design, and aerospace, among other possible uses. This finding
has implications beyond the realm of basic physics; it lays the groundwork for better
experimental methods and encourages creative approaches to solving practical engineering
problems affected by vibrational dynamics.
Experimental Setup
A 200g mass is connected to a spring as part of the experiment's spring-mass system. At the
outset, the system is in freefall, which causes the entire length to be 37 cm. This method has
been repeated for other-sized cards by measuring the beginning displacement and keeping track
of the time for twenty oscillations.

Figure 1: Data Table

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 (Source: Self-created)
The data table helps to inform all the experiment result that has been recorded during the time of
the experiment.

Figure 2: Displacement graph according to cross-sectional area

(Source: Self-created)
The graph illustrated that the displacement value after 20 oscillations is highest in the 25 cross-
sectional area.

Figure 3: Trial result analysis by each card

(Source: Self-created)

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Attaching cards with varying cross-sectional areas to the mass and stretching the system by 3 cm
makes for a total length of 40 cm, which is sufficient to cause oscillations.

Figure 4: Model illustration

A vertical spring-mass system's motion has been characterised by Newton's Second Law and
Hooke's Law. A system's equation of motion looks like this:
m.a = -k.a-b.v-mg
m= Mass object (kg)
K = Spring Constant (n/m)
a= Object Acceleration (m/s2)
b= Damping coefficient
V= Velocity (m/s)
g= Acceleration due to gravity
Formula to calculate acceleration
a=F/m
F=Force
F= -k.x-b.v-mg

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The vertical spring-mass system is controlled by this equation. The solution to this second-order
linear differential equation will give the displacement as a function of time, which depends on
the problem's characteristics such as damping, and beginning circumstances. Depending on the
system's characteristics and starting points, the solution might use exponential or trigonometric
functions.
Air resistance variances, card attachment discrepancies and probable oscillations in spring
behaviour are all elements that might lead to inaccurate results, which the experiment recognises.
Methods like standardising card attachment, reducing ambient impacts, and using more accurate
measuring methods might be used in subsequent versions to increase dependability. The
observed patterns are consistent with theoretical assumptions, indicating that the data is reliable,
even after taking these factors into account (Rahimi et al. 2020). Not only do these findings add
to the knowledge of vibrational damping, but they also provide the groundwork for future
researchers to improve their experimental techniques and get more reliable results.
Data Collection and Analysis
Trials using cards of different cross-sectional areas are summarised with the collected data. The
attached card's cross-sectional area is displayed versus the mass displacement after twenty
oscillations. Consistent with the observations, the mass displacement decreases with increasing
cross-sectional area (Wang et al. 2019). The larger the card, the more damping force there is, and
the more the vibrational amplitude is reduced, which is why this trend is occurring.
Mechanism
There has been an understanding of the underlying process because bigger cards are subject to a
greater amount of drag. The card's surface area is directly proportional to the resistance that the
vibrating mass meets as it travels through the air. By acting counter to the motion, this drag force
dampens the oscillations and makes them less noticeable over time. Therefore, bigger cross-
sectional areas result in a smaller mass displacement after twenty oscillations.

The effect is caused by air resistance when a vibrating mass's displacement is affected by its
cross-sectional area. Because it interacts with the air like a surface, the connected card suffers
drag forces that are precisely proportionate to its cross-sectional area as the mass oscillates. To
counteract the vibrational mass's motion, larger cards provide stronger drag forces. This system's
oscillations are dampened by these drag forces, which absorb its kinetic energy. Therefore, after
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twenty cycles, the displacement is minimised and the damping effect is more noticeable with a
larger cross-sectional area, resulting in faster energy dissipation. Masses with smaller cross-
sectional areas are able to tolerate larger amplitudes because they experience milder damping
due to less drag (Mirzaev et al. 2021). The complex interplay of the investigated system's cross-
sectional area, air resistance, and vibrational damping is illustrated by this physical mechanism.
Implications of Findings
The findings of the experiment provide light on the practical applications of vibrational
dampening. The cross-sectional area of connected parts becomes an important consideration in
uses where regulating oscillations is necessary, such as in structural components or machinery.
This knowledge can help designers and engineers optimise damping effects and make systems
more stable. The cross-sectional area of the card linked to a vibrating mass has a substantial
impact on the displacement after twenty cycles. A number of elements interact to explain this
behaviour, one of which is the damping forces operating on the system.
1. Damping Forces and Vibrational Behaviour: Damping forces are a part of any vibrating
system; they lower the amplitude of an oscillating mass over time by releasing some of its
energy. Due to differences in the card's cross-sectional area, the system experiences different
damping forces within the framework of the experiment.
2. The Ratio Between Drag Force and Cross-Sectional Area: When the mass vibrates while
carrying an attached card through the air, it experiences resistance that is directly proportional to
the card's cross-sectional area. There is an increase in drag forces as the cross-sectional area
grows larger. A larger waste of energy and, by extension, a more substantial drop in vibrational
amplitude, occur as a result of these drag forces acting counter to the mass's motion.
3. Larger Cross-Sectional Area, Increased Damping: The greater the card's cross-sectional
area, the greater the amount of air resistance it experiences while oscillating, leading to increased
damping. The oscillations lose energy at a higher pace due to the larger damping effect caused
by the increasing drag force. This means that bigger cards result in less mass displacement after
twenty oscillations.
4. Optimal Displacement with Smaller Cross-Sectional Areas: On the flip side, when using
smaller cross-sectional areas, the drag forces are substantially reduced, leading to optimal
displacement. After twenty cycles, the vibrating mass has been enduring larger oscillation
amplitudes due to the softer damping effect.

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5. Findings and Patterns from Experiments: As the attached card's cross-sectional area rises,
the experimental data collected is able to show a consistent trend: a decrease in the displacement
of the mass after twenty oscillations. Displacement and cross-sectional area placed against each
other most likely show a negative correlation, illustrating the inverse link between the two
variables.
6. Real-World Consequences: Numerous domains can benefit from a better understanding of the
effect of cross-sectional area on displacement of vibrating mass after a certain number of
oscillations. In engineering, for instance, when controlled vibrations are crucial, designers utilise
this information to fine-tune systems for optimal performance by maximising the damping
effects.

Figure 5: Structure of spring-mass system

(Source: Nazarenko et al. 2021)
7. Take Potential Inaccuracies into Account: It is essential to recognise that the experiment
might have some errors, such as different card attachments, different air resistance, and different
spring behaviours. These issues might potentially contribute to uncertainties in the results; to
improve the accuracy of future trials, they could be addressed.
An important factor in the damping forces operating on the system is the card's cross-sectional
area in relation to the vibrating mass. The findings of the experiment also lend credence to the
theory that bigger cross-sectional areas cause more damping, which in turn causes the mass to be

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less displaced after twenty cycles. With this new knowledge, there has been a better
comprehension of vibrational dynamics that has real-world implications for design and
engineering.
Data Reliability
Recognising the possibility of errors, it is crucial to think about where the experiment goes
wrong. Differences could be due to things such as air resistance, differences in how the cards are
attached, or even changes in how the spring behaves. Future versions of the experiment might
include steps to reduce these error causes to improve dependability.
Comparative Analysis
A more comprehensive understanding has been gained by comparing the experimental results
with the current literature on vibrational damping. Consistent with predictions from theory, the
results of the experiment provide credence to the idea that bigger cross-sectional areas result in
stronger damping forces (Nazarenko et al. 2021). Mechanical engineers and physicists benefit
from a better understanding of the ways in which various factors affect vibrational behaviour.
Potential Applications
The results of this experiment might be useful in many different contexts. Engineers can utilise
this information to optimise designs in industries where the vibration of machines can cause
structural damage or inefficiency. On the other hand, by adjusting the cross-sectional area, the
experiment demonstrates the possibility of tailoring damping effects, which might lead to new
technical solutions. Optimising the forms of building components for minimal vibration might
boost stability during earthquakes, according to structural engineers (Safarpour et al. 2019). This
information has been used to improve operational efficiency in equipment design by reducing
undesired vibrations via altering the size of connected pieces. The findings from this experiment
have the potential to enhance safety and performance in the aerospace industry by reducing the
effects of vibrations on aircraft components. These prospective uses highlight the breadth and
depth of the research's impact across disciplines, providing novel approaches to real-world
engineering problems.
Conclusion
The experiment shows that the displacement is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the
card linked to the vibrating mass after twenty oscillations. The effect of damping forces on

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vibrational dynamics is highlighted by the trend where bigger cross-sectional areas result in less
displacement. There are technical and design uses for the results, which add to the knowledge of
vibrational behaviour in mechanical systems. In order to further understand vibrational damping
in various circumstances, future studies might investigate more intricate systems or investigate
more factors. The significance of the cross-sectional area in determining the vibrational
dynamics is demonstrated experimentally. The effect of air resistance-induced damping is
highlighted by the negative association between bigger card sizes and reduced displacement after
twenty cycles. The field of mechanical systems is enriched by this new knowledge, and structural
engineering, machinery design, and aircraft all benefit from it. Using the study's findings,
engineers improve the efficiency and safety of systems in a wide range of applications while also
optimising their designs and reducing undesired vibrations.

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References
Mirzaev, I., Yuvmitov, A., Turdiev, M. and Shomurodov, J., 2021. Influence of the vertical
earthquake component on the shear vibration of buildings on sliding foundations. In E3S Web of
Conferences (Vol. 264). EDP Sciences.

Nazarenko, I., Mishchuk, Y., Mishchuk, D., Ruchynskyi, M., Rogovskii, I., Mikhailova, L.,
Titova, L., Berezovyi, M. and Shatrov, R., 2021. Determiantion of energy characteristics of
material destruction in the crushing chamber of the vibration crusher. Eastern-European Journal
of Enterprise Technologies, 4(7), p.112.

Rahimi, F., Aghayari, R. and Samali, B., 2020. Application of tuned mass dampers for structural
vibration control: a state-of-the-art review. Civil Engineering Journal, pp.1622-1651.

Safarpour, H., Pourghader, J. and Habibi, M., 2019. Influence of spring-mass systems on
frequency behavior and critical voltage of a high-speed rotating cantilever cylindrical three-
dimensional shell coupled with piezoelectric actuator. Journal of Vibration and Control, 25(9),
pp.1543-1557.

Wang, Z.H., Xu, Y.W., Gao, H., Chen, Z.Q., Xu, K. and Zhao, S.B., 2019. Vibration control of a
stay cable with a rotary electromagnetic inertial mass damper. Smart Struct. Syst, 23(6), pp.627-
639.

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