1. Physics 2015 – Periodic Motion and SHO’s Department of Physics & Astronomy Minilab 9 Periodic Motion and Simple Harmonic Oscillators (SHO) Page 1

2. Physics 2015 – Periodic Motion and SHO’s PURPOSE Recognize and analyze periodic motion, along with what factors affect it. Next, we will study period, frequency, and amplitude (characteristics of motion). Finally, we will study a special motion called damped motion, or when friction affects the system drastically, and see how it relates to simple harmonic motion. Department of Physics & Astronomy Page 2

3. Physics 2015 – Periodic Motion and SHO’s EQUIPMENT Force sensor (on a stand) Motion sensor (on the floor) Two springs (one long, one short) You will attach the springs to the force sensor, and attach a mass at the end Department of Physics & Astronomy Page 3

4. Physics 2015 – Periodic Motion and SHO’s PROCEDURE Activity 1, 2 – Properties of Periodic Motion These first two activities are intended to check the following principles of periodic motion Position Velocity Acceleration Force Rely on the manual to figure out how these affect motion! Just be careful NOT to let the masses crash into the motion detectors! Department of Physics & Astronomy Page 4

5. Physics 2015 – Periodic Motion and SHO’s PROCEDURE Activity 3 – Simple Harmonic Motion In this activity, you will check to see how the following principles affect a SHO: Amplitude Spring Constant Mass Your procedure will be essentially the same as that in Activity 1 and 2. Just follow the manual! Department of Physics & Astronomy Page 5

6. Physics 2015 – Periodic Motion and SHO’s PROCEDURE Activity 4 – Damped Periodic Motion Remember that a damped motion is one where friction has a great affect on the way the object moves. You will analyze distance-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time, and force-time graphs to see how damping changes your oscillations. You will also use acceleration-force and velocity- position graphs to compare to some of your results in Activity 1. Department of Physics & Astronomy Page 6