Free Vibrations Of A Mass Spring System fits to the sturdy Test Frame for study or demonstration. A back panel fixes to the Test Frame. The panel holds two vertical guide rods and a non-contacting displacement sensor. A test spring suspends a balanced mass platform which vibrates vertically in the guide rods. Therefore, students can easily make the link to simple harmonic motion - defined as the oscillatory motion where the restoring force is proportional to the displacement. The mass-spring system is one of the most easily explainable oscillatory systems. This is because students may already be familiar with Hookes Law, showing the force exerted by a spring is proportional to the extension.
Free Vibrations Of A Mass Spring System is part of a range that explores free vibrations in simple one degree of freedom systems.
It introduces students to key scientific terms such as:
Spring constant and Hookes Law
Oscillation damping
Simple harmonic motion and frequency of oscillation
Phase difference between displacement and its derivatives.
Mass Spring System are added to the lower end of the spring to vary the frequency of oscillation. Frequency, periodic time and deflection can be measured. Experimental module, which fits into the Vibrations Frame making up part of the Universal Vibration Apparatus. Loading is achieved through the use of various masses. An upper adjustment system allows the springs vertical position to be varied and thus its deflection increased and decreased. An open helical spring is mounted inside the Vibrations Frame and free to vibrate vertically through a linear bearing guide.
Experimental Capabilities:
Measures periodic time and deflection. Open helical springs mounted and free to vibrate vertically loaded by various masses.
Modular based experiment making up part of the Mass Spring System
All elements mount within the frame.
