Simple Harmonic Motion Report Questions

This report should adhere to a more formal lab report structure. You can see what that entails here.

Report Questions (I)

  1. Describe how the mass moves relative to the equilibrium position.
  2. Calculate the maximum velocity from the position vs. time graph. Show your calculations. Compare with the value from the velocity time graph.
  3. At what position is the velocity a maximum?
  4. Calculate the minimum velocity from the position vs. time graph. Show your calculations. Compare with the value from the velocity time graph.
  5. At what position is the velocity a minimum?
  6. Calculate the maximum acceleration from the velocity vs. time graph. Show your calculations. Compare with the value from the acceleration vs. time graph.
  7. At what position is the acceleration a maximum?
  8. Calculate the minimum acceleration from the velocity vs. time graph. Show your calculations. Compare with the value from the acceleration vs. time graph.
  9. At what position is the acceleration a minimum?
  10. Compare your position, velocity and acceleration graphs with your predictions. Resolve any discrepancies.

Report Questions (II)

  1. Use the plots mentioned above $[ T(m), T(\sqrt{m}), T(A)]$ to validate the relations between the period and the mass or amplitude.

Report Questions (III)

  1. What is the time constant, $\tau$, of this damped oscillator?

  2. Does the period change as the system loses energy? Explain.

  3. The reduction in amplitude represents a loss of energy by the system. Where does the energy go?