A physics student investigates how the oscillation period of a spring–mass system…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A physics student investigates how the oscillation period of a spring–mass system depends on the attached mass. Using the same light, vertical spring each time, the student records the average period of small-amplitude oscillations for four different hanger–mass combinations.
Measured data:
Mass attached to spring (kg) | Average period of oscillation (s)
0.10 | 0.64
0.20 | 0.90
0.30 | 1.10
0.40 | 1.27
Assume the spring’s own mass is negligible compared with the added masses.
(a) Describe the trend shown by the data. In your answer, comment on whether the change in period appears to be linear with the change in mass and cite specific numerical evidence from the table.
(b) A classmate claims that the quantity T2 is directly proportional to the attached mass. Explain how the data either support or contradict this claim, referring to appropriate calculations.
(c) Suppose you graph T2 on the vertical axis versus the attached mass on the horizontal axis. Explain why the slope of the best-fit line can be used to determine a property of the spring that is independent of the masses chosen. Identify that property in words (do not calculate it here).