II.

Abstract
In this lab, a spring was hung at a height above a motion sensor. Various weights were hung from the
spring as to calculate a theoretical value for the springs spring constant, k. The spring was then put into
harmonic motion with varying weight and its period was recorded as to calculate various other possible
values for k. Once multiple k values were theorized, three different error approximations were used to test
the k values validity. This resulted in a k value within all approximate error margins.
III. Theory
Vectors are an easy way to display information about forces. They indicate direction and magnitude using
length and angle from a main axis. Below is a diagram of a vector with angle theta.

Total magnitude of a vector can be calculated
HOOKES LAW: F = -kx
If a spring with an attached mass is stretched a small amount, it will oscillate in a harmonic motion. Time T is
shown in this equation
T = 2(pi)Sqrt(mass/k)
The mass of the spring must be accounted for in order for the previous equation to be true. This is done by
adding 1/3 the springs mass to the attached mass thus giving a new equation
T =

IV. Objective
Examine different methods used to find error and overlap between expected and measured data using
spring constants.
V. Procedure
1. The computers were turned on, the motion sensor interface was assembled and the program
harmonic1.ds was executed.
2. The spring was weighed at 178.3g and then hung 70cm above the sensor.
3. A weight holder with 150g of mass was hung from the bottom of the suspended spring and the initial
height of the spring was recorded at .615m. Subsequent 50g masses were then added while recording the
height of each load up to 500g total. The difference in force and distance between each added mass was
calculated and tabulated.
4. The program timer.ds was executed and a total of 200g was hung from the spring. The spring bottom
was extended 5cm and released 5 times while the period of the springs oscillation was recorded and the
average/standard deviation of period times was calculated.
5. Step 4 was repeated 3 more trials using 100g more weight each time to total 500g.


6. Using the equation
m = M
weight
+ M
hanger
+1/3M
spring
the average period time vs. square root of m was plotted in excel. Included on the plot were: standard
deviation error bars, linear regression trend line and two worst lines through the endpoints of the first/last
error bars. The slopes of the worst lines and the range of spring constant values were also calculated. Ranges
for the different k values were compared.
7. Using equation
T = a new equation: K = ((+

)/(()

)
was solved for in terms of period and mass.
With the propagation of errors method, a k range was calculated. The k range was written in the
form: k(T , m) k(T ,T, m) and the three k ranges were compared.

VI. Data
Part 1 Data
Mass(g) Distance(m) Force(N)
Change in
F
Change in
D Spring constant
200.00 0.62 1.96

250.00 0.56 2.45 0.49 -0.05 -8.91
300.00 0.51 2.94 0.49 -0.05 -9.80
350.00 0.46 3.43 0.49 -0.05 -9.61
400.00 0.41 3.92 0.49 -0.05 -9.25
450.00 0.36 4.41 0.49 -0.05 -10.43
500.00 0.30 4.90 0.49 -0.06 -8.31

Part 2 Data

200g Mass 300g Mass 400g Mass 500g Mass
Trial 1 Period(s) 1.01 1.26 1.35 1.57
Trial 2 Period(s) 0.91 1.24 1.47 1.48
Trial 3 Period(s) 0.99 1.22 1.47 1.56
Trial 4 Period(s) 0.85 1.92 1.30 1.57
Trial 5 Period(s) 0.96 1.18 1.39 1.56
m(kg) 0.26 0.36 0.46 0.56
Sqrt(m) 0.51 0.60 0.68 0.75
Avg. Period(s) 0.94 1.36 1.39 1.54
Std. D.Period(s) 0.06 0.31 0.08 0.04

VII. Calculations
Force
F=ma F = .200kg*9.8 F = 1.96N
Change (force example)
F2 F1 = F 2.45N 1.96N = F F=.49N
Change (distance example)
D2 D1 = D .56m .51m = D D= .05m
Average (k value example)
=
9.3
Standard Deviation (k values example)
= .737


Slope of worst line
Slope= slope = slope = 2.9

VIII. Qualitative analysis
The most obvious source of error during this lab was the recording of period times. This recording was
done by human estimation by looking at the oscillation of the spring and attempting to stop the timer for an
accurate reading. Reaction time played a part in creating error as much as estimating did.
A second source of error came from pulling the spring down and releasing it to cause vibration. The
y = 2.3629x - 0.1888
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8
Average Period
length(s)
Square root mass(kg)
Average period length(s) vs. Square root
mass
distance the spring was pulled each trial was not exactly the same due to human error.
A third cause or error was the placement of the motion sensor below the spring. The placement was
most likely not perfect and caused the reading from the sensor to be wrong.
IX. Quantitative analysis




Error range from part 1:
Mean of k= -9.382
Std. Dev. Of k= 0.7371

K range =
Error range from part 2:
SCALE READING: The following equation validates values of k between the two worst error bars.

K range =
Error range from propagation of errors:

K range =
X. Results
Part 1 Data
Mass(g) Distance(m) Force(N)
Change in
F
Change in
D
Spring
constant(K)
200.00 0.62 1.96

250.00 0.56 2.45 0.49 -0.05 -8.91
300.00 0.51 2.94 0.49 -0.05 -9.80
350.00 0.46 3.43 0.49 -0.05 -9.61
400.00 0.41 3.92 0.49 -0.05 -9.25
450.00 0.36 4.41 0.49 -0.05 -10.43
500.00 0.30 4.90 0.49 -0.06 -8.31
Mean of k= -9.382
Std. Dev. Of k= 0.7371

Part 2 Data

200g Mass 300g Mass 400g Mass 500g Mass
Trial 1 Period(s) 1.01 1.26 1.35 1.57
Trial 2 Period(s) 0.91 1.24 1.47 1.48
Trial 3 Period(s) 0.99 1.22 1.47 1.56
Trial 4 Period(s) 0.85 1.92 1.30 1.57
Trial 5 Period(s) 0.96 1.18 1.39 1.56
m(kg) 0.26 0.36 0.46 0.56
Sqrt(m) 0.51 0.60 0.68 0.75
Avg. Period(s) 0.94 1.36 1.39 1.54
Std. D.Period(s) 0.06 0.31 0.08 0.04

XI. Conclusion
In conclusion, the k value found was about 9.382N/m but with a standard deviation of .737N/m, this value
falls within all error calculations. This result supports the theory discussed in part three of this lab.