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EXP #5 PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY REPORT

Abstract
The research conducted in this lab involved the study of periodic motion and the change in this
motion due to change in variables. Utilizing a spring-mass system, the observer measures the
time for 10 oscillations of the springs twice: first with varying amplitude, and second with
varying mass. The observer also calculates the springs strength constant, k. The results show
that the period, T, of the spring, with varying amplitude, is 1.06 sec for an amplitude, A, of 0.04
m, 1.086 sec for an A of 0.08 m, and 1.0873 sec for an A of 0.12 m. The T is 0.9963 sec for a
mass, m, of 0.15 kg, 1.284 sec for an m of 0.3 kg, 1.544 sec for an m of 0.45 kg, and 1.752 sec
for an m of 0.6 kg. The k of the spring is 8.50182 newtons/meter.
Introduction
This lab allows the observer to understand the effect of varying amplitude, A, and mass, m, on
the period, T, of a spring. While learning this, the observer develops a greater understanding of
simple periodic motion. Within the lab, the observer focuses on determining the T of the spring
using a meter stick, varying masses, and an iPhone stopwatch. The iPhone helps the observer
obtain the time for 10 oscillations of the spring, given a chosen A measured on the meter stick.
After conducting three trials, T is calculated using the formula

recordedtime of 10 oscillations
10

and the resulting values of T are averaged to find the average

T of the spring. The spring constant, k, is measured by placing different masses on the spring,
and measuring the change in distance. The calculated averages are then graphed to show a visual
representation of the data.

EXP #5 PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY REPORT

Conclusion
The results show that the T of the spring was affected minimally by the varying amplitudes, but
did show significant change with varying masses. These calculated periods were obtained solely
from the data of the observers group and no other groups data was consulted. The results are as
accurate as possible, due to the inherent factor of human error when recording the time using the
iPhone stopwatch; error could also possibly have been present due to the lack of uniformity
when pulling the spring for each trial. Conducting the experiment three times for each set of
variables, allowed for a more accurate representation of the periodic motion of the spring.

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