Simple Harmonic Motion Experiment Using Force Sensor: Low Cost and Single Setup

Abstract

A method of simple harmonic motion (SHM) experiment is proposed. The SHM of a loadspring system is observed through the use of force sensor to measure the force acting on the spring. The data will then be further analyzed to derive the kinematic of load. Through the enforcement of Newton’s second law of motion, this method is able to produce two out of three kinematic quantities; x(t)andat. It will then be completed through numerical approach such as Euler method and central finite difference. The experimental data are used to determine appropriate initial conditions for numerical approach, and initial phase angle for constructing the theoretical kinematics. The result was further validated through the ellipse trajectory in phase-space. Hence, the experiment proved to be capable of producing simple harmonic motion without raising the complexity level. It can also produce all of the necessary quantities needed to provide SHM kinematics in the form of both graphs and equations

Keywords

• simple harmonic motion, oscillation, force sensor, Euler method, phase space

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