Physics 211
Week 9

Computer Intensive Physics
Day 18

Spring, 1998

Equipment:ScienceWorkshop software, Force and Distance Probes, low-friction
dynamics cart and track, springs, mass balance

Energy in Damped Harmonic Motion
In this activity you will investigate the transformation of energy between spring potential energy and kinetic energy, in a system with a noticeable damping force (friction). You will:

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

(E)

Prepare a system which will exhibit damped harmonic motion.
Re-Scale the position axis.
Take data.
Measure relative amplitudes of oscillations in order to test predictions of a
mathematical model you will create with Maple.
Interpret the data in terms of energy.

A)

Set up the system

Attach the force probe to the cart, and measure their combined mass. Record this in your Word file.
Assemble the system shown above. --Make sure the force probe's hook points toward the motion sensor. --There's a small hole in the cart through which to hook the spring. -- Don't overstretch the springs.
Start Science Workshop, plug in the force and distance probes, and prepare four graphs-- for position, velocity, acceleration, and force.

Remember that the distance probe does ^{respond well to objects closer than about 50 cm!}

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