Apparent weight lab: oscillations and v(t) graph

[TheTangent]

Homework Statement

In a lab I collected data for change in apparent weight of a ~1kg mass during an elevator ride. The mass was suspended from the scale by doubled up rubber bands. This caused plenty of oscillations in the data. Can i apply the form mx"(t)+γx(t)+kx(t)=Fcosωt to this situation to find some kind a formula for the oscillations?

The velocity and position plots were smooth. Why is this? Does this mean I don't need to consider the rubber band oscillations?
Also, my v(t) graph overshot at the end. It is significantly above zero at the end of the elevator ride up, when it should have measured stationary. Why is this? How can I fix it?

Homework Equations

mx"(t)+γx(t)+kx(t)=Fcosωt
g((w-w_o)/w_o)

The Attempt at a Solution

I had F(t) data and mass. I used g((w-w_o)/w_o) to find acceleration, and integrated for velocity and position (in Graphical Analysis). But as the goals of the experiment seem not to be about achieving a bunch of annoying oscillations in data that is trying to communicate something else, I want to know if I can create F(t) and a(t) plots that do not oscillate so much.

For the v(t) graph, the lab sheet mention something about making the final velocity zero. Of course, tacking on a zero velocity at the end of the v(t) data didn't do anything.

 

[jbsteele]

The graph still overshot. Maybe I could use the formula mx"(t)+γx(t)+kx(t)=Fcosωt to help dampen the oscillations and make the final velocity zero?But I'm not sure if it can be applied to this situation, or how to apply it. Any help is appreciated!