IB Physics SHM Lab
PART 1: Periods of oscillating system.
A. The mass/spring system.
𝑇 = 2𝜋
𝑚
𝑘
1. Obtain a spring with a known spring constant k, a ring stand,
and a motion detector.
2. Measure the period for 5 different masses.
3. On graph paper, plot T2 vs. m.
4. From your graph, obtain a value for k. Show all work
directly on your graph.
5. Get the % error between the known k and your value.
PART 1: Periods of oscillating system.
B. The simple pendulum.
1. Obtain a string, a spherical mass, and a photogate.
2. Measure the period for 5 string lengths, L.
3. On graph paper, plot T2 vs. L.
4. From your graph, obtain a value for g. Show all work
directly on your graph.
5. Get the % error between 9.8 m/s2 and your value.
𝑇 = 2𝜋
𝐿
𝑔
PART 2: Graphical Analysis of a mass-spring system.
1. Obtain a spring and a mass.
2. Place a motion detector below the mass.
3. Zero the motion detector when the mass is hanging at rest.
4. Obtain the following motion graphs:
a. Distance vs. time
b. Velocity vs. time
c. Acceleration vs. time
d. KE vs. time
e. Elastic PE vs. time
f. Total energy vs. time
5.
Fill in the following table with either max, min, zero, or
constant.
Position
zero
max
min
Velocity
Acceleration
KE
PE
E
Lab Report Checklist
A.T2 vs. m graph with calculations.
B. T2 vs. L graph with calculations.
C.5 graphs from part 2.
D.Filled in table.
E.Summary