Physics Lab Question- Please help

[bcjochim07]

For our physics lab we hung a mass attached to spring above a motion detector. First we took some data with the spring at rest. Using this data, we determined our zo value.

Then we set the spring in motion and took data. Using position, velocity, and time data, we calculated K, U, & K+U = mechanical energy (E)

We were given this info to plot the data on a graph

x= -.5(z-zo)^2 y=.5Mv^2

y=kx+E Plotting this on a graph, we determined the value of k & E

U= .5(z-zo)^2
K= .5mv^2

Now the question: Could this lab be done by hanging the spring mass system from a force probe instead of a distance probe ? How would you do the analysis?

I think this could be done, but I am having trouble visualizing how. Every idea I come up with needs the distance probe also. For example, I thought about how Force= -dU/ds and had this idea: Pull down on the mass-spring system to a measured distance and record the reading of the force probe there. From this you can determine the potential energy and thus the mechanical energy, since there is no KE initially. Then to determine k, hang the mass spring system from a force probe & record the force reading. Then measure the distance the spring stretches from its eq. position using F=-kx you can determine k. But all of these ideas seem to require distance. I have thought long and hard about this but I just can seem to find the right idea.

 

[anathema]

Thank you for sharing your lab setup and data with us. It seems like you have done a great job analyzing the data and determining the mechanical energy and spring constant.

To answer your question, yes, it is possible to do this lab using a force probe instead of a distance probe. In fact, using a force probe may provide some advantages in terms of accuracy and precision.

Here are some steps you could take to analyze the data using a force probe:

1. Hang the mass-spring system from the force probe and record the force reading. This will give you the force (F) acting on the system.

2. Set the system in motion and record the position, velocity, and time data. From this, you can calculate the kinetic energy (K) using the formula K = 0.5mv^2.

3. To calculate the potential energy (U), you can use the force-distance relationship you mentioned: F = -dU/ds. Rearranging this equation, we get dU = -Fds. This means that the change in potential energy (dU) is equal to the negative of the force (F) multiplied by the change in distance (ds).

4. Using the data from step 2, you can determine the change in distance (ds) for each time interval. Then, using the force data from step 1, you can calculate the change in potential energy (dU) for each time interval.

5. Finally, to determine the total potential energy (U), you can sum up all the individual dU values calculated in step 4.

6. Once you have the values for K and U, you can plot them on a graph using the equation K+U = mechanical energy (E). From this graph, you can determine the mechanical energy and use it to calculate the spring constant (k) using the formula E = 0.5kx^2, where x is the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position.

I hope this helps you with your analysis. Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[Moetasim]

I would suggest that this lab could potentially be done using a force probe instead of a distance probe, but it would require some modifications to the setup and analysis. One option could be to attach the force probe to the spring and measure the force as the spring is pulled down and released, similar to how you would use the distance probe to measure the displacement of the spring. From the force data, you could then calculate the potential energy and mechanical energy of the system.

To determine the value of k, you could hang the mass-spring system from the force probe and measure the force required to stretch the spring a certain distance. From the force and displacement data, you could then calculate the spring constant k.

Another option could be to use the force probe to measure the force as the mass-spring system is in motion. From this data, you could calculate the kinetic energy and mechanical energy of the system. To determine the value of k, you could then use the force probe to measure the force required to stretch the spring a certain distance, and use this data to calculate the spring constant.

Overall, the key is to use the force probe to measure the forces involved in the motion of the mass-spring system and use this data to calculate the potential energy, kinetic energy, and spring constant. It may require some trial and error and adjustments to the setup, but with careful analysis, it is possible to complete this lab using a force probe instead of a distance probe.