Taylor+and+Kyle's+Clock+Lab

=Clock Design: Simple Harmonic Motion= Date of Publication: 9/10/09


 * Participants**: Kyle D. and Taylor B.
 * Purpose**: The purpose of this lab is to design and characterize a clock that makes accurate time measurements in the range of 30 to 90s.
 * Lab Documents**: [[file:Simple Harmonic Motion.doc]]

Specifications of Clock:**
 * Brief Description Clock Design**: For our clock, we used a medium length spring that was coiled somewhat loosely. We had a set-up that allowed our spring to hang over the side of the table with 690g of weight on it. Our clock was extremely accurate. We pulled the mass down to 23cm from the ground using a meter stick and released it. About every second (that was recorded with a stop watch), the mass would complete one cycle.
 * media type="file" key="Block 1; Spring Clock 3.wmv" width="300" height="300"
 * Number of Bounces || Time (seconds) ||
 * 20 || 20.03 ||
 * 40 || 39.81 ||
 * 60 || 59.69 ||
 * 90 || 89.12 ||
 * Design Variables:** We chose to study how mass and the length of the spring would effect the frequency of our mass/spring system.
 * Studied Design Variable 1:** We tested mass first by adding or removing weight and testing how many seconds it took for the system to complete 20 cycles. The smallest amount of weght took a shorter amount of time than the heavier weght.


 * Studied Design Variable 2:** We tested the effect of length of the springs. We tested four different springs and found that longer and tighter tighter coiled springs completed their cycles quicker.


 * Lab Questions**: Write out and answer any questions that are included as a part of the lab.
 * 1) Describe in detail how your device may be used to measure an event that lasts 60s. What would the accuracy of this measurement be?
 * 2) Which variable that you studied had the most significant effect on the frequency/period of the clock? If you built your clock with a 20% increase in this variable, what would the new frequency/period of the clock be? Support your answer by referring to data in your report.
 * 3) Which variable that you studied had the least significant effect on the frequency/period of the clock? If you built your clock with a 20% increase in this variable, what would the new frequency/period of the clock be? Support your answer by referring to data in your report.
 * 4) Though it was not a project requirement, it would be nice if your clock could also measure much longer times, on the order of 10 to 15 minutes. Would your clock design still be accurate for long time measurements? What might affect the accuracy of the clock for these longer measurements? Can you think of a way to improve the design to make the clock more accurate for longer measurements?

Our clock was very reproducible because it would complete one cycle in one second and we were very detailed about which spring we used, how much weight we used, and how high off the ground it should be. They differed towards the end because gravity had eventually slowed the mass on the end of the spring down. I think that you should have to experiment with a few variables first so you know what works and doesn't for your final clock. >> >> //Don't forget to link to your lab report from the lab reports page and to include a link to your lab report in your reflection.//
 * Conclusion**:
 * Independent reflection:**
 * How was the process of designing and testing a clock similar to the scientific method as discussed in class?
 * How did it differ?
 * What "steps" in the scientific process were present and which were missing?
 * Was there a part of the activity that is not a part of the scientfic process?