MEC424- Vibration

ABSTRACT
Referring from the resultant graph, we can see that the obtained graph line is straight.
This shows that both variables on the graph are linearly related with each other. From
the experiment, which to determine the spring constant (k), the experimental value and
theoretical value is almost same. It been shown that the experimental value is 2.091
N/mm theoretical is 1.71 N/mm with percentage error of 18.21%. The data collected has
told us that the value of extension will be rise if the amount of the load is increase. In
findings the frequency, we have got the answer with some difference between the
theoretical and experimental value. The relation between frequencies with mass can be
seen because weight of the mass can change the value of frequency. The large amount
of load given to the spring will deduct the value of frequencies in vibration. During data
collection, we encountered some errors. This is maybe due to random error. As a
conclusion, we managed to obtain the spring constant, (k) value for the spring tested.
We also managed to find the spring oscillations natural frequency, (f). By obtaining the
graphs, we also succeeded in finding the relationship between the displacement, (x)
and the generated force of spring, (F). Through the graph, we also managed to figure
out the relations between the mass load of the spring, m and the oscillation periodic
time, (T). By reaching the experiments entire objective, the experiment is a success.

OBJECTIVE
From this experiment, we able to find:
1. Determine the spring constant (k).
2. Determine the natural frequency (f).

INTRODUCTION

Vibration refers to mechanical oscillations about an equilibrium point. The oscillations

may be periodic such as the motion of a pendulum or random such as the movement of
a tire on a gravel road. Vibration is occasionally "desirable". For example the motion of a
tuning fork, the reed in a woodwind instrument or harmonica, or the cone of a
loudspeaker is desirable vibration, necessary for the correct functioning of the various
devices. Free vibration occurs when a mechanical system is set off with an initial input
and then allowed to vibrate freely, and the action of forces inherent in the system itself.
The mechanical system will then vibrate at one or more of its "natural frequency" and
damp down to zero, which are properties of the dynamic system established by its mass
and stiffness distribution.

Procedure
Part 1 : Determination the spring constant (k)
It is appropriate to plot the extension of the spring with the recorder.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The paper was fit and the pencil is setup.

Measure the initial length of the spring.
The adjuster is used to set carriage such that stylus is 40mm line on chart paper
Load spring by placing weights on carriage
The recorder is start again after each weight is added
The extension values is measured manually.

Part 2 : Determination the natural frequency (f)

1. The graph paper and pen is put in the mechanical recorder
2. The adjuster is adjust so that the gap between the carriage is constant and the pen is at
the centre of the graph paper.
3. The carriage is pull downward to give the initial displacement and let it oscillate freely
4. Using the mechanical recorder , record the mechanical oscillation of the system knowing
that the recorder velocity is 20mm/s .
5. The procedure is repeated by adding more masses.

Results
Determination the spring constant (k)
Mass (kg)

Total mass (kg)

0
2
4
6
8
10

1.25
3.25
5.25
7.25
9.25
11.25

Force,F
(N)
12.2625
31.8825
51.5025
71.1225
90.7425
110.3625

Extension,x
(mm)
0
10
20
30
40
50

Spring constant,k
(Nmm)
0
3.1883
2.5751
2.3071
2.2686
2.2073

Determination the natural frequency (f)

Mass (kg)

Total mass,m
(kg)

Length in 3
period (mm)

Period,T (s)

0
2
4
6
8
10

1.25
3.25
5.25
7.25
9.25
11.25

10
18
22
25
29
32

3.33
6.00
7.33
8.33
9.67
10.67

4.1 RESULTS
1. Determining the spring constant (k)
Mass, m (kg)
1.25
3.25
5.25
7.25
9.25
11.25

Spring Elongation, x
(mm)
0
11.5
23
34.5
46
57.5

Force, F (N)
12.263
31.883
51.503
71.123
90.743
110.363

Table 4.1.1: Tabulated data to determine spring constant, k

Natural
frequency,f
(Hz)
0.300
0.167
0.136
0.120
0.103
0.094

k, N/mm
Experimental

Theoretical

Percentage error (%)

1.706

1.71

0.234

Table 4.1.2: Percentage error between experimental and theoretical value

Sample of Calculation:
F=kx
F=ma
Therefore, ma=kx
k= (m2-m1)a
(x2-x1)
k= (11.25-5.25)(9.81)
(57.5-23)
= 1.706N/mm
Percentage error = 1.71-1.706 x 100%
1.71
= 0.234%

1. Determine the natural frequency (f)

Mass, m
(kg)
1.25
3.25
5.25
7.25
9.25
11.25

5 oscillations, a
(mm)

Time for 5
oscillations,T5
(s)

Time for 1
oscillation,T1
(s)

Natural
frequency, f
(Hz)

27
1.35
0.27
3.704
35
1.75
0.35
2.857
37
1.85
0.37
2.703
41
2.05
0.41
2.439
47.5
2.38
0.48
2.105
53
2.65
0.53
1.887
Table 4.1.3: Tabulated data to determine the natural frequency, f
Natural frequency,f (Hz)

Mass, m
Percentage
Experimental
Theoretical
(kg)
error (%)
1.25
3.704
5.887
37.08
3.25
2.857
3.651
21.74
5.25
2.703
2.872
5.91
7.25
2.439
2.444
0.21
9.25
2.105
2.164
2.71
11.25
1.887
1.962
3.84
Table 4.1.4: Percentage error between experimental and theoretical value
Sample of Calculation:
T5 = a
v
= 47.5mm
20mm/s
= 2.38s
T1 = T5
5
= 2.38
5
= 0.48
fexp = 1
T1
= 2.105 Hz

ftheo =
=
= 2.164 Hz
Percentage error = 2.164-2.105 X 100%
2.164
= 2.71%

5.1 DISCUSSION
Based on the experiment conducted, the value of spring constant, k and natural frequency, f is
determined. Hooke's Law states that the restoring force of a spring is directly proportional to a
small displacement. In equation form, F = -kx where x is the displacement of the spring. As the
displacement is acting downwards, it is considered that it acting in negative direction. Therefore,
F = -k (-x) is also F= kx. The proportionality constant k is specific for each spring. For this
experiment, the theoretical value of k of the spring is 1.71Nmm -1. Even though initially there is
no additional mass attached to the spring, the mass of the carriage is taken into account, which is
1.25kg. Therefore for each additional mass, their values are added with 1.25kg and the initial
mass considered as 1.25kg instead of 0kg. From Figure 4.1.1, the relation between force, F and
spring elongation, x is proportional. As the force acting on the spring increases, the elongation of
the spring also increase. The value of experimental spring constant, k is obtained from the
gradient of the graph. It is observed that the value of experimental and theoretical spring
constant, k is slightly different that carried 0.234% of error. The different between the values is
very small. The error can therefore be assumed to be ignored. Hence, the values of experimental
and theoretical spring constant, k are approximately equal.
To determine the natural frequency, each mass on the spring is allowed to vibrate to
obtain a sinusoidal graph. The length of five oscillations is recorded to obtain the time of five
oscillations by dividing the length with the velocity of the mechanical recorder. Then, the time
for one oscillation is obtained by dividing the time for five oscillations with five. The
experimental natural frequency, f is obtained as the reciprocal of time for one oscillation. Each
value of natural frequency, f is different for each mass attached to the spring. The theoretical
natural frequency, f of the spring is calculated using the formula given. It is a function of spring
constant, k and mass, m. For the mass 1.25kg and 3.25kg, the percentage errors between the

experimental and theoretical values of natural frequency, f of the spring are differed immensely.
The percentage errors are more than 20% and should be considered and analysed. This may
caused by several factors and errors. Disturbances during the experiment may also contribute to
the vastly percentage errors. For the other additional mass, the percentage errors between the
experimental and theoretical values of natural frequency, f of the spring are only minor and can
be considered as insignificant difference.

6.1 CONCLUSIONS
In a nutshell, Hooke's Law states that the restoring force of a spring is directly
proportional to a small displacement. In equation form, F = -kx where x is the displacement of
the spring. As the displacement is acting downwards, it is considered that it acting in negative
direction. Therefore, F = -k (-x) is also F= kx. The force, F is proportional to the spring
elongation, x and the spring constant is the slope of the graph of force versus spring elongation.
The value of spring constant, k obtained from the experiment is approximately equal to the
theoretical value of the spring constant, k. However the values of experimental natural frequency,
f of the spring for mass of 1.25kg and 3.25kg are significantly differ from their theoretical
values. This may caused by several factors and errors. Disturbances during the experiment may
also contribute to the vastly percentage errors. The natural frequency, f depends on the spring
constant, k and mass attached to the spring, m. The percentage errors between the experimental
and theoretical values for natural frequency, f of other additional mass are very small and
considered to be insignificant.

REFERENCES
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http://www.physics.ucla.edu/demoweb/demomanual/harmonic_motion_and_waves/simple_harm
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