When started gently, motion alternates between angular and radial oscillation. The period of the switching can be modified by changing the ratio of the spring’s natural frequency to the pendulum’s natural frequency.
Location: L02, section C1
spring
Damped Oscillator
- Connect oscillator to a vertical spring. Pull down, and release.
- Paper oscillator ( left, in above photo) displays near critical damping.
- Located in L02, section C-1.
Spring Loaded Cart
- Located in L02, section B1.
- Place metal plates (two) on track end stops and seperate
end stops by about 5 cm (as shown above); place spring on launcher shaft and
insert launcher shaft through holes in metal plates, compressing spring. Small
pin on string allows for quick, frictionless release.
Falling Slinky
- Bottom of slinky in free fall remains motionless until slinky is totally contracted.
- See: Slow motion video of Jonathan dropping slinky.
- Here’s another slow-mo video. Until fully contracted, the bottom of the slinky seems oblivious to the fact that it has been dropped.
- Slinky located in L02, section C-2 (in plastic tub with other springs, and ropes).
Paradoxical Force
- Spring Scale is connected to two hanging weights. Many students
predict that the value of the scale reading will be the sum of the two weights, not simply the value of one- hence the name “paradoxical”, I guess. - Located in L02, section B4. Scales and weights in section
A1.
Tug-o-War
- Hang two masses of equal weight, connected
to opposite sides of spring scale, over pulleys, as shown above. Scale reading is that of one weight. Masses in above picture equal 200 grams. - Located in L02, section B-4, top shelf.
- Weights located in L35, section D-1.
Hook’s Law
- Set contains meterstick with metal hook, spring with needle indicator, and clamp.
- Clamp the meter stick to a ring stand as shown in the above photo. Extension length is easily read.
- Located in L02, section D-2.