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Form 6 Practical Session

The document outlines an experiment investigating the oscillations of a mass attached to two springs in series, focusing on measuring the period of oscillation T in relation to mass M. It includes instructions for plotting graphs, calculating values, and determining the relationship between T and M using a specified equation. The experiment also involves error analysis and deriving constants related to the spring system.

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chirebvutawanda
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15 views4 pages

Form 6 Practical Session

The document outlines an experiment investigating the oscillations of a mass attached to two springs in series, focusing on measuring the period of oscillation T in relation to mass M. It includes instructions for plotting graphs, calculating values, and determining the relationship between T and M using a specified equation. The experiment also involves error analysis and deriving constants related to the spring system.

Uploaded by

chirebvutawanda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2 A student is investigating the oscillations of a mass attached to two springs connected in series,

as shown in Fig. 2.1.

springs

mass

Fig. 2.1

A stopwatch is used to measure the time t for 10 oscillations. The measurement of t is repeated
and the average period T is determined.

The experiment is repeated for different masses.

It is suggested that T and mass M are related by the equation

2 rM q
T=
k
where k is the spring constant of the two springs in series and q is a constant.

(a) A graph is plotted of lg T on the y-axis against lg M on the x-axis.

Determine expressions for the gradient and the y-intercept.

gradient = ...............................................................

y-intercept = ...............................................................
[1]
(b) Values of M, lg (M / g) and measurements of t are given in Fig. 2.2.

M/g t/s t/s T/s lg (M / g) lg (T / s)

155 15.20 16.00 2.190

205 18.30 17.50 2.312

250 19.30 20.10 2.398

305 21.00 21.80 2.484

355 23.50 22.70 2.550

410 24.10 24.90 2.613

Fig. 2.2

Calculate and record values of T / s and lg (T / s) in Fig. 2.2.


Include the absolute uncertainties in T / s and lg (T / s). [4]

(c) (i) Plot a graph of lg (T / s) against lg (M / g).


Include error bars for lg (T / s). [2]

(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit and a worst acceptable straight line on your graph. Both
lines should be clearly labelled. [2]

(iii) Determine the gradient of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your
answer.

gradient = ......................................................... [2]


0.40

0.38

0.36

lg (T / s)

0.34

0.32

0.30

0.28

0.26

0.24

0.22

0.20

0.18
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
lg (M / g)
8

y-intercept = ......................................................... [1]

(d) Using your answers to (a), (c)(iii) and (c)(iv), determine the values of k and q. You need not
be concerned with units. Do not include the absolute uncertainties.

k = ...............................................................

q = ...............................................................
[2]

(e) Using your answers to (d), determine the mass M needed to give a period of 1.0 s.

M = ....................................................... g [1]

[Total: 15]

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