Simple Harmonic Motion: Kinematics and Dynamics

Introduction

When you suspend an object from a spring, the spring will stretch. If you pull on the object, stretching the spring some more, and release it, the spring will provide a restoring force that will cause the object to oscillate in what is known as simple harmonic motion (SHM). In this experiment, you will examine this kind of motion from both kinematic and dynamic perspectives.

Objectives

In this experiment, you will

• Collect position vs. time data as a weight, hanging from a spring, is set in simple harmonic motion (SHM).
• Determine the best-fit equation for the position vs. time graph of an object undergoing SHM.
• Define the terms amplitude, offset, phase shift, period and angular frequency in the context of SHM.
• Predict characteristics of the corresponding velocity vs. time and acceleration vs. time graphs, produce these graphs and determine best-fit equations for them.
• Relate the net force and acceleration for a system undergoing SHM.