Question

In the lab Oscillations: 1.) Study of Oscillations and Vibrations Using the Sonic Motion Sensor 2.) Damped Harmonic Motion Simulation Summarize the procedures (keep it short); be sure to explain how you determined crucial quantities such as period and amplitude.

Answer 1

(1) Study of Oscillations and Vibrations Using the Sonic Motion Sensor

The study of oscillations is important in many fields of Science and Engineering ranging from mechanical to electrical to quantum mechanical vibrations of electron waves in atoms. The simplest and most important form of vibrations is simple harmonic motion (SHM). These motions are created when a linear force exists that tries to restore a system back to its equilibrium position and causes a system to vibrate

F = ma = -mg-kx = m(d²y/d²t)

The equation above demonstrates Hooke’s law and how linear relation is true for all springs as long as the spring is not stretched too far. Air friction is not included because the only way to incorporate air friction is to use differential equations. The time for one cycle or oscillation is called the period, which is represented by T.

T = 2pi*sqrt(m/k)