Simple Harmonic Motion

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Lab 2 Simple Harmonic Motion Introduction to Physics 1 Laboratory The goal of this lab experiment is to understand the meaning of what a simple harmonic motion is. The objective of this lab will be to Measure the position as a function of time for an oscillating mass and spring system Compares the observed motion of a mass and spring system to a mathematical model of simple harmonic motion Determine the amplitude, period, and phase constant of the observed simple harmonic motion Introduction Simple harmonic motion is the vibratory motion that occurs when there is a restoring force opposite to and proportional to a displacement. Also a simple harmonic motion is a term that refers to a particular type of oscillatory motion, they are called simple because the are the simplest kind of periodic motion to analyze. Understanding simple harmonic motion provides a strong basis for the study of more complicated oscillations. To fully understand periodic motion we must first understand the concept of equilibrium and the two types. The first type is stable, when an object is in stable equilibrium any displacement of this object will result the object to try to restore itself to its original position For example as demonstrated in the experimental procedure using logger pro, a weight hanging on a string is in stable equilibrium when it is at its lowest point. If the weight is pushed to one side, gravity will again try to pull it back to the lowest point. When it get there, of course, it will have kinetic energy and continue to move past the equilibrium point. Once it passes the equilibrium, gravity will again try to pull it back to the lowest point and the whole process repeats itself periodically the equation below is used to analyze the process. y = A sin (2ft + ) In this equation, y is the vertical displacement from the equilibrium position, A is the

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