The report should clearly demonstrate how you have selected

and applied suitable advanced analytical techniques to analyse

the data and how your solutions address the initial problems.
You should clearly explain your methods, why they are suitable
and what the relevance is of your outcomes.

Investigation 1 Mass-Spring system

This investigation uses the TecQuipment TM16 Range Universal

Vibration Apparatus. The diagrams are taken from the TQ User Guide
with permission. The practical exercise is divided into two parts.
a) Determine the spring constant, k

The spring and mass holder are already mounted on the apparatus frame
as shown in Fig. 20. Take care not to damage the depth gauge.

Mass
(kg)

Force
(N)

0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2
2.2
2.4
2.8
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
40
Coil diameter
Wire diameter
Number of coils

Depth gauge reading

(mm)
Loading
Unloading

Mean reading
(mm)

Extension
(mm)

Measure the dimensions of the spring. Record the depth gauge

reading for increases of mass of 400g up to 4kg. Remove the
weights one at a time and record the gauge reading unloading.
Calculate the mean extension for each mass.

extension = (gauge reading - gauge reading with no mass on the

platform)

Plot a graph of extension(mm) against load (N) and determine the

spring stiffness, k.

b) Investigate the effect of mass on the time period of oscillation

Create a blank results table (Table 9).

Add one 400g mass to the platform. Carefully lift the platform up
and release it. Take care to make sure that there is no side-to-side
movement of the platform, and the mass moves freely without
hitting the supporting frame.

Note the time taken for 20 complete oscillations and calculate the periodic
time, .

Repeat for increases of mass of 400g to a maximum 4kg.

(i) Derive an equation from first principles to model the mass-spring
system
(ii) What type of equation is this?
(iii) Find a General Solution to the equation in relation to the mass (M),
spring stiffness (k)

Investigation 2 Newtons Law of cooling

This investigation uses simple equipment to measure the

temperature of a container of hot water as it cools. Take care with
hot liquids. Create a blank results table.
Time (minutes)
0

Temperature ( o C )

Select a suitable time interval to measure the temperature

Carefully pour a volume of hot water into your container. (You can select
the volume and starting temperature).
Record the temperature at equal intervals of time.
(i) Enter your results in a spreadsheet
(ii) Use the spreadsheet software to determine an approximate equation
for T with
respect to t.
(iii) Use your graph to estimate the gradient of the graph at the start.
(iv) Use the value of gradient to calculate the predicted value of
temperature after the
first time interval. (Think Eulers method)
(v) Calculate the percentage error between the predicted and measured
values
(vi) Repeat steps (iii) to (v) for two more points
(vii) Is there any discernible pattern in the calculations?
(viii) Derive an equation for the temperature T at any time t using
Newtons Law of Cooling

How does this compare with the equation from (ii)?

(ix) Use the equation from the analytical method to predict the
temperature at three intervals of your choice and calculate the percentage
difference between these and the measured values.
(x) What conclusions can you draw from using the different methods?

Investigation 3 Toughness of metal samples

This investigation uses the Tinius Olsen Tensile Testing apparatus.

Care must be taken when using the equipment. Follow all
guidance, particularly Risk Assessments, precisely.

Follow the method listed in the Tensile Test Operating Procedure to obtain
data for a metal sample. The output needs to be in .csv format.

Definition Toughness is the mechanical energy absorbed per unit volume.

It is the integral of stress with respect to strain up to the point of failure.

(i)

Import the data into a spreadsheet.

(ii) Create a graph of stress, against strain .

(iii) Identify a suitable advanced analytical method to estimate the value
of the integral for your sample.
(iv) Material toughness is more commonly measured using the Charpy or
Izod impact tests. Suggest reasons why they are preferred to this method

Investigation 4 Quality Control

The number of machine stoppages per week in a manufacturing company
is measured as part of their maintenance system. They observed that the
number of stoppages over a year had the following distribution. (The
factory is closed for production for 2 weeks in the summer and 1 week at
Christmas).

No. of
breakdowns

No. of weeks

11

13

11

The Head of Quality thinks that the number of breakdowns should follow a
Poisson distribution. Test the null hypothesis that the measurements do
follow a Poisson distribution at a level of significance of 0.05 and also
determine if the data is too good to be true at a level of confidence of
95%