6.1.5
Simple Harmonic Systems
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SHM Experiment (Mass-Spring System)
A mass suspended on the end of a spring is also an excellent example of SHM.

Equipment
- Suspend a mass, m, from a spring as shown in the diagram.

Method
- The formula for the period, T, is where k is the spring constant of the spring.
- Find the length of time for 10 complete oscillations, using the pointer against the vertical scale.

Method 2
- Repeat this and find the average time for 10 oscillations. Divide that time by 10 to find the period, T.
- The mass should be varied and the period remeasured for each value of m.
- Goggles/safety specs should be worn because there is a spring under tension.

Getting quality data
- The fiducial mark should be horizontal. Some form of pointer could be attached to the suspended mass.
- You can use a small section of string between the clamp and the mass-hanger to reduce the effect of any side to side motion given to the mass in releasing it.

Obtaining quality data 2
- You should check the mass, m, with a balance.
- The extension should not be so large that the elastic limit of the spring is reached. The spring should not be compressed so much that it no longer provides a restoring force.
- Keep the pointer close to but not touching the scale.
- Observe the pointer from eye level. Do this to reduce parallax errors.

Analysis
- You should plot a graph of T² against m to verify the equation.
- You would expect to plot a straight line through the origin with a gradient .
- The straight line might miss the origin because the effective mass of the spring has not been taken into account.
- Plotted or given error bars would help to provide an estimate of the uncertainty in g by finding the worst acceptable line of fit.
SHM Experiment (Simple Pendulum System)
The simple pendulum is a classic experiment to demonstrate SHM.

Equipment
- Suspend a pendulum bob by a thread from a clamp.
- The thread should be squashed between two small blocks of wood or a bung/cork split in two. This makes the suspension point easy to define.

Method
- Time for 10 oscillations. Repeat and get an average.
- Divide this average time by 10 to find the period.
- Repeat for different lengths of pendulum thread.

Obtaining quality data
- Use a ruler to measure the length of the string from the suspension point to the centre of the bob.
- A micrometer or calipers might be useful to measure the diameter of the bob.
- Pull the bob to one side (position A) so that the thread makes a small angle with the vertical (use a protractor to measure this angle to keep it consistent and small. The maximum angle should be 10 degrees).

Obtaining quality data 2
- Start and then later stop the timer when the bob passes in front of a fiducial mark placed behind the thread (i.e. position B).
- This can be a card with a vertical line drawn on, or the clamp stand.
- This mark needs to be at the equilibrium position. This is where the bob is travelling fastest, so means there is the smallest error in starting and stopping the timer.

Analysis
- The equation for this is supposed to be . So you should plot a graph of T² against l to verify the equation.
- You would expect to see a straight line through the origin with gradient .
- You can find a value of g from the gradient ().
- Plotted or given error bars would help to provide an estimate of the uncertainty in g by finding the worst acceptable line of fit.
1Measurements & Errors
1.1Measurements & Errors
1.1.1SI Base Units1.1.2Combining SI Units1.1.3Prefixes of Units1.1.4Standard Form1.1.5Converting Units1.1.6End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes1.1.7Limitation of Physical Measurements1.1.8Uncertainty1.1.9Estimation1.1.10End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors1.1.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting between SI1.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - SI & Area/Volume
2Particles & Radiation
2.1Particles
2.1.1Atomic Model2.1.2Specific Charge, Protons & Neutron Numbers2.1.3End of Topic Test - Atomic Model2.1.4Isotopes2.1.5Stable & Unstable Nuclei2.1.6End of Topic Test - Isotopes & Nuclei2.1.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Stable & Unstable Nuclei2.1.8Particles, Antiparticles & Photons2.1.9Particle Interactions2.1.10Classification of Particles2.1.11End of Topic Test - Particles & Interactions2.1.12Quarks & Antiquarks2.1.13Application of Conservation Laws2.1.14End of Topic Test - Leptons & Quarks2.1.15Exam-Style Question - Radioactive Decay
2.2Electromagnetic Radiation & Quantum Phenomena
2.2.1The Photoelectric Effect2.2.2The Photoelectric Effect Explanation2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Photoelectric Effect2.2.4Collisions of Electrons with Atoms2.2.5Energy Levels & Photon Emission2.2.6Wave-Particle Duality2.2.7End of Topic Test - Absorption & Emission2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Electron Volts2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting eV & Joules
3Waves
3.1Progressive & Stationary Waves
3.2Refraction, Diffraction & Interference
4Mechanics & Materials
4.1Force, Energy & Momentum
4.1.1Scalars & Vectors4.1.2Vector Problems4.1.3End of Topic Test - Scalars & Vectors4.1.4Moments4.1.5Centre of Mass4.1.6End of Topic Test - Moments & Centre of Mass4.1.7Motion in a Straight Line4.1.8Graphs of Motion4.1.9Bouncing Ball Example4.1.10End of Topic Test - Motion in a Straight Line4.1.11Acceleration Due to Gravity4.1.12Projectile Motion4.1.13Friction4.1.14Terminal Speed4.1.15End of Topic Test - Acceleration Due to Gravity4.1.16Newton's Laws4.1.17Momentum4.1.18Momentum 24.1.19End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum4.1.20A-A* (AO3/4) - Newton's Third Law4.1.21Work & Energy4.1.22Power & Efficiency4.1.23Conservation of Energy4.1.24End of Topic Test - Work, Energy & Power4.1.25Exam-Style Question - Forces4.1.26Diagnostic Misconceptions - Perpendicular Vectors4.1.27Diagnostic Misconceptions - Weight Acts Downwards4.1.28Diagnostic Misconceptions - Acceleration Direction4.1.29Diagnostic Misconceptions - Stationary Objects4.1.30Diagnostic Misconceptions - Action & Reaction4.1.31Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Direction4.1.32Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Acceleration4.1.33Diagnostic Misconceptions - Change in Momentum
5Electricity
5.1Current Electricity
5.1.1Basics of Electricity5.1.2Current-Voltage Characteristics5.1.3End of Topic Test - Basics of Electricity5.1.4Resistivity5.1.5Superconductivity5.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Superconductivity5.1.7End of Topic Test - Resistivity & Superconductors5.1.8Circuits5.1.9Power and Conservation5.1.10Potential Divider5.1.11Emf & Internal Resistance5.1.12End of Topic Test - Power & Potential5.1.13Exam-Style Question - Resistance5.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Constant Current5.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Potential Difference
6Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)
6.1Periodic Motion (A2 only)
6.2Thermal Physics (A2 only)
6.2.1Thermal Energy Transfer6.2.2Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments6.2.3Ideal Gases6.2.4Ideal Gases 26.2.5Boyle's Law & Charles' Law6.2.6Molecular Kinetic Theory Model6.2.7Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 26.2.8End of Topic Test - Thermal Energy & Ideal Gases6.2.9Exam-Style Question - Ideal Gases6.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Material & Mass6.2.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - No Energy
7Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)
7.1Fields (A2 only)
7.2Gravitational Fields (A2 only)
7.3Electric Fields (A2 only)
7.4Capacitance (A2 only)
7.5Magnetic Fields (A2 only)
7.5.1Magnetic Flux Density7.5.2End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density7.5.3Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field7.5.4Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage7.5.5Electromagnetic Induction7.5.6Electromagnetic Induction 27.5.7Alternating Currents7.5.8Operation of a Transformer7.5.9Magnetic Flux Density7.5.10End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction
8Nuclear Physics (A2 only)
8.1Radioactivity (A2 only)
8.1.1Rutherford Scattering8.1.2Alpha & Beta Radiation8.1.3Gamma Radiation8.1.4Radioactive Decay8.1.5Half Life8.1.6End of Topic Test - Radioactivity8.1.7Nuclear Instability8.1.8Nuclear Radius8.1.9Mass & Energy8.1.10Binding Energy8.1.11Induced Fission8.1.12Safety Aspects of Nuclear Reactors8.1.13End of Topic Test - Nuclear Physics8.1.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Nuclear Fusion
9Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)
9.1Telescopes (A2 only)
9.2Classification of Stars (A2 only)
9.3Cosmology (A2 only)
10Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)
10.1Physics of the Eye (A2 only)
10.2Physics of the Ear (A2 only)
10.3Biological Measurement (A2 only)
10.4Non-Ionising Imaging (A2 only)
10.5X-Ray Imaging (A2 only)
10.6Radionuclide Imaging & Therapy (A2 only)
11Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)
11.1Rotational Dynamics (A2 only)
11.2Thermodynamics & Engines (A2 only)
12Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)
12.1Discovery of the Electron (A2 only)
12.2Wave-Particle Duality (A2 only)
Jump to other topics
1Measurements & Errors
1.1Measurements & Errors
1.1.1SI Base Units1.1.2Combining SI Units1.1.3Prefixes of Units1.1.4Standard Form1.1.5Converting Units1.1.6End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes1.1.7Limitation of Physical Measurements1.1.8Uncertainty1.1.9Estimation1.1.10End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors1.1.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting between SI1.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - SI & Area/Volume
2Particles & Radiation
2.1Particles
2.1.1Atomic Model2.1.2Specific Charge, Protons & Neutron Numbers2.1.3End of Topic Test - Atomic Model2.1.4Isotopes2.1.5Stable & Unstable Nuclei2.1.6End of Topic Test - Isotopes & Nuclei2.1.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Stable & Unstable Nuclei2.1.8Particles, Antiparticles & Photons2.1.9Particle Interactions2.1.10Classification of Particles2.1.11End of Topic Test - Particles & Interactions2.1.12Quarks & Antiquarks2.1.13Application of Conservation Laws2.1.14End of Topic Test - Leptons & Quarks2.1.15Exam-Style Question - Radioactive Decay
2.2Electromagnetic Radiation & Quantum Phenomena
2.2.1The Photoelectric Effect2.2.2The Photoelectric Effect Explanation2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Photoelectric Effect2.2.4Collisions of Electrons with Atoms2.2.5Energy Levels & Photon Emission2.2.6Wave-Particle Duality2.2.7End of Topic Test - Absorption & Emission2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Electron Volts2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting eV & Joules
3Waves
3.1Progressive & Stationary Waves
3.2Refraction, Diffraction & Interference
4Mechanics & Materials
4.1Force, Energy & Momentum
4.1.1Scalars & Vectors4.1.2Vector Problems4.1.3End of Topic Test - Scalars & Vectors4.1.4Moments4.1.5Centre of Mass4.1.6End of Topic Test - Moments & Centre of Mass4.1.7Motion in a Straight Line4.1.8Graphs of Motion4.1.9Bouncing Ball Example4.1.10End of Topic Test - Motion in a Straight Line4.1.11Acceleration Due to Gravity4.1.12Projectile Motion4.1.13Friction4.1.14Terminal Speed4.1.15End of Topic Test - Acceleration Due to Gravity4.1.16Newton's Laws4.1.17Momentum4.1.18Momentum 24.1.19End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum4.1.20A-A* (AO3/4) - Newton's Third Law4.1.21Work & Energy4.1.22Power & Efficiency4.1.23Conservation of Energy4.1.24End of Topic Test - Work, Energy & Power4.1.25Exam-Style Question - Forces4.1.26Diagnostic Misconceptions - Perpendicular Vectors4.1.27Diagnostic Misconceptions - Weight Acts Downwards4.1.28Diagnostic Misconceptions - Acceleration Direction4.1.29Diagnostic Misconceptions - Stationary Objects4.1.30Diagnostic Misconceptions - Action & Reaction4.1.31Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Direction4.1.32Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Acceleration4.1.33Diagnostic Misconceptions - Change in Momentum
5Electricity
5.1Current Electricity
5.1.1Basics of Electricity5.1.2Current-Voltage Characteristics5.1.3End of Topic Test - Basics of Electricity5.1.4Resistivity5.1.5Superconductivity5.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Superconductivity5.1.7End of Topic Test - Resistivity & Superconductors5.1.8Circuits5.1.9Power and Conservation5.1.10Potential Divider5.1.11Emf & Internal Resistance5.1.12End of Topic Test - Power & Potential5.1.13Exam-Style Question - Resistance5.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Constant Current5.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Potential Difference
6Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)
6.1Periodic Motion (A2 only)
6.2Thermal Physics (A2 only)
6.2.1Thermal Energy Transfer6.2.2Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments6.2.3Ideal Gases6.2.4Ideal Gases 26.2.5Boyle's Law & Charles' Law6.2.6Molecular Kinetic Theory Model6.2.7Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 26.2.8End of Topic Test - Thermal Energy & Ideal Gases6.2.9Exam-Style Question - Ideal Gases6.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Material & Mass6.2.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - No Energy
7Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)
7.1Fields (A2 only)
7.2Gravitational Fields (A2 only)
7.3Electric Fields (A2 only)
7.4Capacitance (A2 only)
7.5Magnetic Fields (A2 only)
7.5.1Magnetic Flux Density7.5.2End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density7.5.3Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field7.5.4Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage7.5.5Electromagnetic Induction7.5.6Electromagnetic Induction 27.5.7Alternating Currents7.5.8Operation of a Transformer7.5.9Magnetic Flux Density7.5.10End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction
8Nuclear Physics (A2 only)
8.1Radioactivity (A2 only)
8.1.1Rutherford Scattering8.1.2Alpha & Beta Radiation8.1.3Gamma Radiation8.1.4Radioactive Decay8.1.5Half Life8.1.6End of Topic Test - Radioactivity8.1.7Nuclear Instability8.1.8Nuclear Radius8.1.9Mass & Energy8.1.10Binding Energy8.1.11Induced Fission8.1.12Safety Aspects of Nuclear Reactors8.1.13End of Topic Test - Nuclear Physics8.1.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Nuclear Fusion
9Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)
9.1Telescopes (A2 only)
9.2Classification of Stars (A2 only)
9.3Cosmology (A2 only)
10Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)
10.1Physics of the Eye (A2 only)
10.2Physics of the Ear (A2 only)
10.3Biological Measurement (A2 only)
10.4Non-Ionising Imaging (A2 only)
10.5X-Ray Imaging (A2 only)
10.6Radionuclide Imaging & Therapy (A2 only)
11Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)
11.1Rotational Dynamics (A2 only)
11.2Thermodynamics & Engines (A2 only)
12Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)
12.1Discovery of the Electron (A2 only)
12.2Wave-Particle Duality (A2 only)
Practice questions on Simple Harmonic Systems
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- 2Finding spring constant experimentPut in order
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