INTRODUCTION

Hooke's Law states that the restoring force of a spring is directly

proportional to a small displacement. In equation form, we write
F = -kx
where x is

the

size

of

the

displacement.

The

proportionality

constant k is specific for each spring. If it is not stretched to the point

where it becomes permanently deformed, the behavior of a properly
wound coiled spring, when subjected to a stretching force, can to
follow Hooke's Law. 1.[Bueche, p. 95] (Note that Hooke's Law applies
more generally too many more systems than just ordinary springs.)
To see whether an ordinary screen door spring behaves similarly,
one such spring was suspended by one end from a horizontal support
and masses were hung from its other end to stretch it. The resulting
data were used to construct a graph of load as a function of
elongation, from which it was possible to obtain the spring constant of
the spring. In addition, for one value of load the spring was given a
small additional stretch and released, thereby setting the system into
vertical oscillation. Assuming this motion to be simple harmonic, its
period also yields a spring constant, thereby providing an additional
check.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the equation

g=2 A

and determine the relationship of

frequency and amplitude and verify Hookes law and to find the
combined spring rate of the two springs used on the spring-mass

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system. Next, verify the mass/frequency relationship of a vibrating

spring-mass system and to determine approximate values for
gravitational acceleration and the effective weight of the spring.
THEORY
The swinging pendulum of an old fashion clock, or quartz crystal in a
modern watch, the motion of the piston in a car engine, a beating
heart, the alternating current of electricity, the vibration of atoms and
molecules about their equilibrium position as well as sound, radio,
and light waves - all undergo a periodic or oscillatory motion, which
repeats itself regularly in time.

The study of the property of a periodic motion will be performed with

a mass m suspended on a spring Fig.1. There are two forces act on
the mass: the force of gravity and the restoring force of the spring.
2.In a position of equilibrium the net force on the mass equals zero,
so these two forces are equal and aim at opposite direction. The
spring exerts the force in the opposite direction of elongation or
contraction. The force F is called a restoring force and is described by
Hookes Law.

F = - kx , (1) where k is the spring constant, a characteristic of the

spring, and x is the change of the spring elongation or contraction.

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If a body, which obeys Hookes Law, is displaced from equilibrium

and released, the body will undergo simple harmonic motion (SHM).
Many systems, such as water waves, sound waves and ac circuits,
exhibit this type of motion.
A particularly easy example to study is a mass on a spring. This
system will undergo simple harmonic motion (SHM) with a period, T,
given by Equation (2).
A particularly easy example to study is a mass on a spring. This
system will undergo simple harmonic motion (SHM) with a period, T,
given by Equation (2).

T =2

m
k

(2)

where k is the constant from Hooke's Law and m is the combined

mass, defined by Equation (3).
M = mass of object & pan on spring + mass of spring

Apparatus

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(3)

Figure 2: Cussons Vibrator Drive Unit

Figure 3: P 1906 Linear Vibration Apparatus

PROCEDURE
1) Three tests were conducted using linear vibration apparatus.
They were spring rate test and spring-mass system test.

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2) In Spring Rate Test, the vibrator (Figure2) was set up and the
height of the suspension bar was adjusted until the lower
restraining spring was extended by 40mm without load units on
the carrier.
3) The rule was aligned at zero on some convenient point on the
carrier then six load units were added progressively.
4) The results were tabulated and then plotted in a graph of
change in extension against change in load. The stiffness of the
spring system was determined from the slope of the graph.
5) In spring-mass system test, the apparatus was set up as (Figure
3) for the spring-rate test. The vibration generator was
connected to the drive unit and the keeper rod was removed.
6) The system was vibrated over the frequency range 4-20Hz and
the natural frequencies of vibration for a full range of mass
loads were established. The graph of

T 2p

against mass loads

was plotted from the results.

Safety and Precaution
1. The electrical supply voltage, frequency and configuration is
ensured that are compatible with the equipment which requires
a single/ three phase supply and a reliable protective earth or
ground connection.
2. The equipment is isolated from the electrical supply when it is
not in use.
3. The equipment is always isolated from the electrical supply
before removing the front or rear panels to prevent expose of
any part that in operation, carries a potential of 30V dc. Or 50 V
ac.

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Results:

Spring Rate Test

Table 2: Spring extensions under different load units

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Load Units, W

Extensions, E (mm)

3.0

5.0

8.0

10.0

13.0

15.5

Graph of Extensions against Load Units

20
15

Extensions, E (mm)

10
5
0
0

Load Units, W

Figure 1: Graph of extensions against load units

Spring-Mass System Test
Table 3: Frequency and period at resonant point under different load
units
Load Units, W
0
1
2
3
4
5
6

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Frequency, F
(Hz)
16.5
8.5
6.5
5.4
4.7
4.3
4.0

Period, Tp

Tp

0.061
0.117
0.154
0.185
0.213
0.231
0.250

0.004
0.014
0.024
0.034
0.045
0.054
0.062

Graph of Tp2 against Load Units

0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
Tperiod2

0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0

Load Units, W

Figure 2: Graph of Tp2 against load units

Analysis:
From the graph (figure 3),
Gravitational acceleration, g =

4 2
S

4 2
400

= 9.87 m/s-2
Effective weight of the spring:

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AC
BC

50
0.0540.004

w
3
w
3

+ carrier = OD

1
400

= 0.4

w = 1.193g

Discussions:
From Figure 1, the extension of the spring increases linearly
with the increase of load units. This verified the Hookes law where
the stress is proportional to strain. Errors may exist in this experiment
due to parallax error. So, random error exist can be reduced by
conducting the experiment few more time to obtain more consistent
& accurate results and also by eliminating uncontrolled variable or
properly shielding or grounding the measuring system.
In Figure. 2, the period at resonant point increase linearly with
the increase of load units. The calculated gravitational acceleration, g
and effective weight of the spring are 9.87 m/s -2 and 1.193g
respectively. The calculated values deviate from the actual value
because the system resonates over a very narrow frequency range
and the resonant point is hard to identify.

Conclusion:
Amplitude of a vibrating system decreases with increasing
frequency and spring obeys Hookes law. It was also found that
frequency of a vibrating system decreases with increasing load where

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gravitational acceleration and effective weight of spring can be

obtained by plotting mass /frequency relationship.

References

1) Figiola, R. S., Frederick Bueche (2011). Theory and Design for

Mechanical Measurements: Fifth Edition. New York, MA: John
Wiley & Sons.
2) R.Keith Mobley., (1999). Vibration Fundamentals. Wildwood
Avenue, MA: Butterworth - Heinemann, Inc., pg 193.
3) Hall, J. G., Allanson, J. E., Gripp, K. W., & Slavotinek, A. M.,
(2007). Handbook of Physical Measurements: Second Edition.
New York, MA: Oxford University Press.

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