Masses & Springs
"Masses & Springs" is a free Java applet used to simulate the displacement and/or periodic motion of masses attached to springs. Three vertical springs are side by side so users can compare different masses and/or displacements of mass. Visitors to the site can choose to download the applet or run it online. Teachers can download a PDF of tips produced by the authors of the applet. Teachers can also download lesson plans submitted by other teachers who have used the resource in their classroom.
Teachers can use this simulation to demonstrate conservation of energy for a mass hanging from a spring. Friction may be included to demonstrate damped harmonic oscillation. The relationship between spring potential energy, gravitational potential energy, and kinetic energy is displayed in a bar graph to the right of the springs. In the static case, Hooke's law is easily demonstrated (larger mass objects displace the spring further). In the oscillating case, the period of the motion can be demonstrated to be dependent on the mass and the period and independent of the displacement. Displacements can be measured with a ruler tool. The acceleration due to gravity may also be manipulated for comparison; while the displacements will be different, the period will remain constant.
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eduToolbox® is a resource-sharing portal developed by the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation with collaborative support and funding from the Tennessee Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education's Math & Science Partnership program.
