Topics
- Measurement
- Periodic Motion
- Hooke's Law
Description
Hang masses from springs and discover how they stretch and oscillate. Compare two mass-spring systems, and experiment with spring constant. Transport the lab to different planets, slow down time, and observe the velocity and acceleration throughout the oscillation.
Sample Learning Goals
- Describe the natural length and equilibrium position in your own words.
- Find the relationship between the mass, spring strength (spring constant), and stretch (displacement).
- Design an experiment to determine the mass of a mystery object
- Develop a method to measure the period.
- Determine the factors which affect the period of oscillation.
- Compare the gravity on Planet X to known benchmarks.
- Describe the relationship between the velocity and acceleration vectors, and their relationship to motion, at various points in the oscillation.