Question

Phys 129 Lab 5 - Oscillations Pre-Lab: Although many of the above results were derived with a horizontal, frictionless scenario in mind, today's experiment will involve a vertical spring. In the space below, draw a free-body diagram for a mass attached to a spring in: 1) A horizontal, frictionless scenario (where the spring is attached to a wall on one side and a mass m on the other). 2) A vertical scenario where the mass hangs from a spring that in turn hangs from a motionless mounting point. In both cases, the motion is 1-dimensional. But do you see any complication in the free-body diagrams that might make the vertical system different than the horizontal system? Write your thoughts below:

Answer 1

Free body diagram in case of horizontal motion of the block Grheme posi hm Extema fosi tiom Mem eosihon A Vai mass springuu knt emytole A free body diagram in case of vertical motion of the block Natura o exhenaion km Mesn positm Fnet =o Ma- ko A ERrema poshbm waximum diplacement fm posihion Ampeitude

In case of horizontal motion of the block there is no work done by the gravity because gravity acts perpendicular to the motion of the mass but in case of vertical simple harmonic motion of the mass gravity does some work. Therefore mean position of the block is changed due to the gravity In case of horizontal SHM of the block mean position is at the natural length of the spring but in case of vertical SHM of the block natural length and mean positions are different