Experiment Description

Experiment

Experiment A03    Timing Oscillations

Objectives
  • Learn the techniques of timing oscillations
  • Learn the techniques of estimating errors from a graph
  • Estimate the force constant of a spring through timing a mass-spring oscillator
  • Measure the acceleration due to gravity indirectly through timing a pendulum
Description
In this activity, you will use a stop watch to determine the periods of a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum.

In Experiment 1, you will determine the force constant of the spring from the period of the mass-spring system.

In Experiment 2, you will determine the acceleration due to gravity from the period of the simple pendulum.
Apparatus
stand-and-clamp [1]
stop watch [1]
spiral spring [1]
slotted masses and hanger [1]
thread/fishing line [1]
pendulum bob [1]
coins [2]
protractor [1]
metre rule [1]
Experiment