AH Exp – Mechanics 09 – Experiments showing SHM using a motion sensor

Aim – To investigate the the displacement / time, velocity / time and acceleration / time graphs for an spring and pendulum.

Instructions

The spring is suspended vertically from a stand.
The motion of the mass attached to the spring is Simple Harmonic Motion.
The displacement, velocity and acceleration of the mass are displayed on the monitor.

▪ Pull the mass down and start it oscillating.
▪ Switch off the velocity and acceleration traces to observe only the displacement of the mass.
▪ Now observe the velocity trace and compare this with the displacement trace.
▪ Similarly, observe the acceleration trace and compare it with the other two traces.

Note that this “virtual” spring does not lose energy and the amplitude of the oscillation remains constant. In practice, the amplitude of the oscillation will decrease as energy is lost.

▪ Replace the spring with the pendulum and repeat the experiment.

▪ Wait for Player to load. Best viewed full screen, right-click or on mobile, press and hold and select Enter full screen. Full screen not available on iOS.