Experiment: Comparing the Masses with the help of Spring

Name of the Experiment: Comparing the Masses with the help of Spring

Theory: If a mass ‘m’ of a body is hanged at the end of a spiral spring hanged vertically. The length of the spring increases by ‘l’. In this condition the spring is considered to be in equilibrium. Now, if the body is pulled downward by ‘A’ distance ‘x’ and is released. Then it oscillates with simple harmonic motion [Figure]. If the body is pulled downward a restoring force acts on the spring along its initial position. According to Hooke’s law displacement force ‘x’ is proportional to the restoring force and oppositely directed. So F = – K’x; here Kꞌ is the force constant of the sprung.

When the body is released after pulling it, the body moves with acceleration a due to the force F. If the mass of the, body is m, then its acceleration will be

a = F/m

then, a = (-Kꞌ/m)x

so, a = Kx, here K = Kꞌ/m

Since for unit displacement, acceleration of the body is Kꞌ/m; so time period of the oscillating body is-

T = 2π √(m/K)

or, T² = 4π² (m/K)

so, m = T²K/4π² … … … (1)

If the masses of two bodies are m₁ and m₂ and time period for these two mass are T₁ and T₂ respectively, then from (1) it can be written as-

m₁ = T₁²K/4π²

and, m₂ = T₂²K/4π²

So, m₁/ m₂ = (T₁²K/4π²) x (4π²/ T₂²K)

then, m₁ : m₂ = T₁² : T₂²

Equipments:

(1) A spring of known spring constant.

(2) A hook to hang the spring.

(3) Bodies of different masses.

(4) Stop watch.

(5) An wooden meter scale.

Procedure:

(1) The spring is to be hanged by a hook from rigid body. If the experimented first body of mass m1 is hanged from the lower end of the spring; then length will increase and at a particular position will be stable. It is the equilibrium point.

(2) Mark on the wall or on a long scale, to maintain the correct position of the equilibrium point.

(3) Then if by pulling the body slightly from the equilibrium position and the released, the spring will oscillate up and down. In this condition, record time for 20 oscillations and repeat this process three times. Each time divide the time by the number of oscillation and determine Time, period (T₁). Take average T₁ from the value of three readings.

(4) Following the similar procedure 3 record time period T₂ for the second mass m₂.