ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION LAB
(Updated August 26, 2007)
General Announcements : Uncertainty : Inclined Plane : Conservation of Mechanical Energy : Collisions - Conservation of Momentum : Conservation of Rotational Kinetic Energy : Simple Harmonic Motion : Velocity of Sound in Air : Standing Waves on a String
D.1. Spring Procedure
The setup of the apparatus is pictured below.
To test the accuracy of your estimates, you are asked to "Select DATA/New Column." You should actually select "DATA/New Column/Formula." You will perform this "manual fit" only until you get it right once. The remaining fits in this lab are all the "automatic" LoggerPro fits.
D.2. Torsion Pendulum Procedure
It's often difficult at first learning how to read vernier scales. There are many helpful tutorials on the web. If you need help, take a look at http://www.saburchill.com/physics/chapters/0095.html or http://badger.physics.wisc.edu/lab/manual/node36.html. There is a cute JAVA applet available on the web that lets you practice making real time readings, however it uses a vernier scale that is set up slightly different from the calipers you will use in lab: http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/java/ruler/vernier.html
Start the pendulum rotating by twisting as shown below - but DO NOT GO PAST the mark at 45 degrees!
Try to eliminate any motion except rotation by lightly grasping the torsion rod.
Before saving your LoggerPro data, make sure that the column listing the measured period shows enough decimal places (including at least one digit that is varying wildly from measurement to measurement). If the column does not list enough decimal places, select "DATA/Column Options," choose "Period," and increase the number of decimal places listed.
General : Uncertainty : Inclined Plane : Conservation of Mechanical Energy : Collisions - Conservation of Momentum : Conservation of Rotational Kinetic Energy : Simple Harmonic Motion : Velocity of Sound in Air : Standing Waves on a String