Experiment 0
OSCILLATOR REVIEW

PROCEDURE


1.  Open the Worksheet and fill in the header information on Sheet 1.

2.  The spring constant is entered in cell D10 and the mass in cell D12. Use the spreadsheet functions to calculate ω using the formula below, and enter the result in cell D14.

HINT: The spreadsheet has a built-in square root function, so you can enter the following in cell D14 to find the angular frequency: "= SQRT(D10/D12)".


3.  Take the result in cell D14 and divide by 2π to obtain the natural frequency f using the formula below. Enter the result in cell D16.

HINT: In cell D16, enter: "= D14/(2 * PI())".


4.  Finally, calculate the period, T, from the natural frequency, f, using the formula below, and enter the result in cell D18.

HINT: In cell D18 enter: "= 1/D16".


5.  Find the amplitude of the oscillations by determining the maximum value of the mass's position, and enter the result in cell F24.

HINT: Use the MAX function on the spreadsheet. In cell F24, enter: "= MAX(". Then, with the mouse, select the entire column of position data. Hit Return, and the spreadsheet will automatically find the maximum value of the position.


6.  Repeat the procedure to find the maximum value of the velocity from the velocity column, and enter the result in cell F26.

HINT: Use the MAX function on the spreadsheet. In cell F26, enter: "= MAX(". Then, with the mouse, select the entire column of velocity data. Hit Return, and the spreadsheet will automatically find the maximum value of the velocity.


7.  Repeat the procedure to find the maximum value of the acceleration from the acceleration column, and enter the result in cell F28.

HINT: Use the MAX function on the spreadsheet. In cell F28, enter: "= MAX(". Then, with the mouse, select the entire column of acceleration data. Hit Return, and the spreadsheet will automatically find the maximum value of the acceleration.


8.  Use the mouse to select all the data in the time and position columns, including the headers.

9.  Use the Excel Chart Maker to plot these data.

10.  Answer Questions 1 and 2 at the bottom of Sheet 1.

11.  Select Sheet 2 using the tab at the bottom of the Spreadsheet. Repeat steps 2 through 9 above.

12.  Answer Question 3 at the bottom of Sheet 2.

13.  Select Sheet 3 using the tab at the bottom of the Spreadsheet. Repeat steps 2 through 9 above.

14.  Answer Question 4 at the bottom of Sheet 3.