Investigating a Bouncing Spring

Research Question:
The aim of this experiment is to investigate how the mass on the
end of a spring affects the time period of oscillation.

Hypothesis:
I believe that as the mass on the end of the spring increases, the
time period will increase. If we double the mass, then the period of
the spring will double — in other words mass is directly proportional
to time period.

I think that this will happen because Newton's and law says that
with twice the mass, the rate of acceleration will be halved, causing
a lower average speed and therefore an increase in the time period
for one swing.

I think that if a graph is plotted of time period against mass it will

be a straight line graph indicating a directly proportional
relationship.

Variables List:
Independent variable - mass, M (kg)
Dependent variable - time period, T (s)
Controlled variables - length of spring, l (m)
⁃ spring constant, t (Nm-1)
⁃ amplitude of oscillation, A (m)
⁃ friction (air resistance), F (N)
- acceleration due to gravity, g (Ms)

Controlling the Variables:

Mass, M: The mass on the end of the spring will be changed from
100g to I kg, 100g at a time.
Time period, T: The time period of the oscillating spring will be
measured using a digital stopwatch. The spring will be timed for I0
oscillations and this time will be divided by lo to improve accuracy.
This procedure will be repeated 3 times and an average taken.
Length of spring: As more mass is added, the spring's extension will
increase, however, the amplitude will be kept constant
Spring constant: The spring constant will remain constant each
time the mass is changed. It will be controlled by using the same
spring.
Amplitude of oscillation, A: The amplitude will remain constant each
time the mass is changed. It will be controlled using a metre rule.
Friction (air resistance), F: Air resistance is difficult to control.
However, it can be minimised by releasing the spring with small
amplitude. The ceiling fans will be turned off during the experiment
and the same location will be used throughout.
Acceleration due to gravity, g: As long as the experiment is
performed at the same location then acceleration due to gravity will
remain constant.

Materials List:
Retort Stand
Clamp and boss
Spring
Mass holder (100g)
10 × 100g slotted masses
Metre rule
Stopwatch

Methodology:

Method:

1. Set up the apparatus, with one end of the spring attached to the
horizontal support on the clamp stand.
2. Attach the slotted mass holder to the bottom of the spring.
3. Position the metre rule next to (but not touching the spring so
that the amplitude of oscillation can be controlled.
4. Pull the 100g slotted mass holder down by 5cm, using a ruler and
release the spring.
5. Time 10 complete oscillations of the spring using the stopwatch
and record the data.
6. Repeat step 4 two more times (3 times in total).
7. Record the data each time and take an average.
8. Add 100g to the slotted mass holder and repeat steps 4 - 6 until
the mass on the slotted mass holder is 1 kg

Data Collection:
Table 1 : Mass on the spring and time period.

Data Presentation:

Graph 1: A graph to show the relationship between the mass on the

end of an oscillating spring and the time period

Analysis of the Raw Data:

The relationship between mass and time period for an oscillating
spring appears to be non-linear. The data will therefore be
processed in order to find a relationship between these two
variables. Since the graph appears to be parabolic, the data will be
manipulated so that a graph of mass vs. time2 can be plotted.
Data Procession:

Table 2- Mass on the spring and time period squared, T2

Presentation and Analysis of processed data:

A graph to show the relationship between the mass, m, on the end

of an oscillating spring and the time period squared, T2 .

Analysis of the graph:

y 2− y 1 1.00 −2
Gradient of best fit line = = =1.87 kg s
x 2−x 1 0.53

y 2− y 1 1.00 −2
Gradient of steepest line = = =1. 99 kg s
x 2−x 1 0.5 1

y 2− y 1 0.98 −2
Gradient of shallowest line = = =1.80 kg s
x 2−x 1 0.5 4
From this second graph it can be seen that the mass on the end of
an oscillating spring is directly proportional to the time period
squared.

2
Mathematically, T ∝m

After investigation it was found that the formula relating the time
period of an oscillating spring to the mass is

re-arranging this equation

T =2 π
√
m
k

2 4π
T = ∙m
k

The gradient of the best fit line is therefore equal to 47/t, the spring
constant can now be found:

k
gradient=1.87= 2
4π
2
k =1.87 ∙ 4 π
−2
k =73.8 kg s

Conclusion
The aim of this experiment was to investigate how the mass on the
end of a spring affects the time period of oscillation. I predicted that
the time period would be directly proportional to the mass of the
oscillating system. This prediction turned out to be incorrect as the
graph of mass us. time period is clearly non-linear. The second
graph of mass us. time period squared however turned out to be
linear and therefore I can conclude that mass is directly
proportional to the time period squared.

Evaluation:
In general the method and apparatus worked well. There were
however some modifications that were made when collecting the
data that were not stated in the original plan.
⁃ Parallax error (random error) when reading the ruler was
accounted for by placing the recorders eye level with the
bottom of the spring.
⁃ When lighter loads were used (100g and 200g), the period of
oscillation was so fast that it was quite difficult to count ten
oscillations. In these cases, more than three trials were
recorded and the then three were selected to use in the table
 of results based on how close they were to each other. This
was a random error that caused uncertainty in the period.
⁃ The slotted masses were never checked for their accuracy. The
100g stamped on each was taken to be accurate. This may
have produced a systematic error, depending on how
inaccurate the masses were and the consistency of their
inaccuracy.
⁃ I found that the lig mass was a very large mass to use. It was
so heavy that it caused the whole system, to bounce around
uncontrollably. This was a random error that caused
uncertainty in the period.

Suggested Improvements:
The investigation could have yielded more accurate results if the
following modifications were made in future.

1. Parallax error. A horizontal pin could have been stuck to the

bottom of the slotted mass holder. This would have pointed at
the ruler so that the elimination of parallax error simply by
guess would have been eliminated.
2. Timing issues relating to human reaction could have been
avoided if the"Vernier" ultra-sonic motion detector was placed
below the oscillating spring.The data would have therefore
been collected automatically and human interaction would
have been avoided.
3. A balance should have been used to check to accuracy of
each of the 100gslotted Masses.
4. For next time, the range of masses should be changed to 50g-
500g in increments of 50g.