Does period depend on amplitude?
Now hang about 400 g from the spring. Push the mass up 10 cm and release it. What happens? Pull the mass down 10 cm and release it. What happens? While the mass is oscillating with about 10 cm amplitude, measure how long it takes to complete 20 cycles. The easiest way to do this is to start counting 0 at the top (or bottom) of a cycle, and 1 at the next top (or bottom), continuing to count up to 20. Repeat the measurement ten times. Now determine the period, the time it takes to complete one cycle. Based on the variation in your measurements, how precisely can you report your determination of the period? Determine the period for 5 cm and for 20 cm amplitudes. Make at least three measurements each. Are your data consistent with the statement, “For simple harmonic motion the period should not depend on the amplitude”? Be careful in answering this. Of course your measurements of period are going to vary. Do they vary by more than the uncertainty of your measurements? 3. How does period de
