University Of Gujrat

BSc Mechanical Engineering Technology

Applied Physics (phy-117)
Lab Report No. 01

Submitted to: Miss Aqsa Waqar

Submitted By :
24013386-006: Muhammad Ghayoor
24013386-012: Syed Asjid Ali
24013386-013: Moeez Raza
24013386-021: Muhammad Umer Khayam
24013386-022: Dawood Suleman
24013386-026: Abdul Haseeb
24013386-033: Muhammad Imran Kasim
 Applied Physics
Lab Report
To study the Damping Feature of Oscillating System
• Abstract;
This experiment aims to study the Damping features of an oscillating System. The objective is to analyze how
different levels of damping affect the amplitude and period of oscillations. A mass-spring system with varying damping
conditions was used. Displacement over the time was recorded and analyze to determine the damping coefficient and
Damping ratio. The Results showed that increased damping lead to a faster reduction in amplitude with the system’s
behavior aligning well with theoretical predictions for under-damped and over-damped conditions. This understanding is
crucial for designing stable and efficient mechanical system.

• Introduction;
Oscillation, in physics refers to repetitive variation typically in time of some measure about a central value or
point of equilibrium. It involves back-and-forth motion fluctuation or cycle of energy exchanged between two or more
states.

Types;

• Damped Oscillation
• Un-damped Oscillation

Damped Oscillations; such oscillation in which amplitude decreases steadily in time

Un-Damped Oscillations; such oscillations in which amplitude remains constant.

Hooks Law;
Hooks Law is fundamental principle in physics that describes the relationship between the force applied to a spring
and its resulting deformation.

The force exerted on the spring with in the elastic limit is directly proportional to the extension produced in spring.

F=-kx
Where:

➢ F is the force exerted by spring (in newton , N)

➢ K is the spring Constant (a measure of the stiffness of the spring in N/m)
➢ x is the displacement of spring from its equilibrium position (in meters, m)

Here’s (Fig, 1.1) the diagram illustrating Hook’s Law. It shows

Spring fixed at one end with a block attached to the other end.

The spring is stretched indicating displacement, applied force

 and restoring force.

Fig, 1.1

Damping features of Oscillating System:

The damping ratio is a dimensionless measure describing how oscillations in system decay after a disturbance.
Many systems exhibit oscillatory behavior when they are distributed from there position of static equilibrium. A mass
suspended from a spring, for example, might, if cold and released, bounce up and down. On each bounce, the system
tends to return to its it will be the position but over shoots it sometimes losses (e.g. frictional) damn the system and can
cause oscillations to gradually decay in amplitude towards attenuate. The damping ratio is measure describing how rapidly
the oscillations take care from one bounds to the next.

The behavior of oscillating system is often of interest in a divers range of disciplines that include control
engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineering and electrical engineering. The physical
quantity that is oscillating varies greatly, and could be saying of a tall buildings in the wind, for the speed of an electric
motor, but a normalized, are non-dimensionalised approach can be convenient in describing common aspects of behavior.

Fig, (1.2) shows are mess m attached to a spring with a force

constant k. The match is raised to a position A0, the initial
amplitude, and then released. The mass oscillates around a
equilibrium position in a fluid with viscosity but the amplitude
decreases for each oscillations. For assistant that has small
amount of damping, the period and frequency or constant
and are nearly the same SMH, but the amplitude gradually
decreases as shown. This occurs because the non-
conservative damping force remove energy from the system,
usually in the form thermal energy.

Types of Oscillating Systems: Fig, 1.2

• Damping in Air freely:

In air, damping is primarily due to viscous resistance. When an object oscillates, it this places air molecules,
creating a registered force that is proportional to its velocity. This type of dumping is typically weak causing the
oscillations to decrease slowly. For example, a pendulum in the air experience is minimal resistance so it
osculates for along duration before coming to rest.
• Damping in Medium/Fluid:
Damping in fluids such as water or oil is more significant than in air due to higher viscosity. The resist reports in
upload is also proportional to the velocity but with a much larger damping coefficient compared to air. This
results in a faster decay of oscillations. In Engineering applications, floor damping is used in devices like shock
absorbers, where oil is used to dissipate energy and reduce oscillations quickly.
• Damping in Thick Media:
In thick or highly viscous media, damping is even more pronounced. The resistor forces are much greater,
leading to a rapid decrease in the amplitude of oscillations. Example include oscillating objects in substances like
Honey or tor. In these cases, the motion is quickly subdued, and system returns to equilibrium almost
 immediately. Take media or often used in applications requiring quick stabilization, such as in certain industrial
machinery and damping systems for seismic activities.

Related History:
The study of damping in oscillating systems is deeply rooted in the evolution of classic mechanics and physics. The
journey begin with the ancient Greeks, who's early observations laid a philosophical foundation for understanding motion
and resistance. However it was Galileo Galilei in the 16th century who significantly advanced the field by studying the
periodic motions of pendulum, which indirectly set the stage for understanding damping effects.

In the 17th century, Robert hooks formulation of hooks law provided a crucial understanding the relationship
between force and extension in springs fundamental to oscillatory systems. Concurrently, Isaac Newton’s Law of motion
offered a comprehensive framework to analyse forces including resistive forces causing dumping, to the slang the
groundwork for modern classic mechanics.

The 18th century saw further advancements with Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier, whose work on heat conduction
and Fourier series allowed for the analysis of periodic functions critical for decomposing complex oscillatory motions.
Leonard Euler’s contributions to the mathematics and oscillations through his work on differential equations, provided
essential methods for analyzing the behavior of damped systems.

In the 19th century, Thomas young's exploration of mechanical vibrations and damping along with the studies on
material properties and internal friction and reach the understanding of structure and dumping. Lord Rayleigh’s seminal
work, “Theory of Sounds,” extensively analyzed dumping in acoustic systems and introduced the Rayleigh damping
coefficient, crucial for modern Engineering applications.

As the 20th and 21st centuries progressed, the study of damping expanded with advancements in materials
science computational mechanics and experimental techniques. New materials with tailor damping properties have been
developed, significantly impacting industries such as automotive and aerospace engineering. Improved mathematical
modelling and numerical methods have enhanced and precision in analyzing and controlling damping in complex systems.
The historical journey from philosophical musings to sophisticated technological applications underscores the integral role
of damping in oscillating systems highlighting the continuous evolution of knowledge that shapes modern engineering and
physics.

• Material Required:;
➢ Stand
➢ Spring
➢ Weight
➢ Stop Watch
➢ Meter Rod
• Procedure;
1. Set up the Apparatus:
• Attach the spring to the stands securely.
• Ensure the stand is stable and placed on a flat surface.
2. Measure and mark initial position:
• Using a meter rod, measure the length of the spring at its equilibrium position (no load attached)
• Mark this equilibrium position for reference.
3. Attach weights and measure displacement:
• Attach the 100 gm weight to the spring and allow it to come to rest.
• Measure the new equilibrium position using the meter rod and note the displacement.
• Repeat this process step by step for the 150 g, 200 g, 250 g and 300 g weights, recording the displacement each
time.
4. Displace the Spring:
• for each weight, all the spring downwards or compressed it to a specific displacement from the new equilibrium
position.
• Not the displacement distance using the meter rod.
5. Release and start timing:
• Release the spring to start the oscillation. Simultaneously, start the stopwatch.
6. Observe and Record Oscillations:
• Observe the oscillations and note the time taken for a certain number of complete oscillations (e.g.,10 cycles).
• Record the amplitude (displacement from equilibrium) of the oscillations at regular intervals (e.g., 5 seconds).
7. Monitor Amplitude Reduction:
• Continue to observe and record the amplitude until its significantly decreases are the oscillations cease.
• Record the time and corresponding amplitude at each interval.
8. Analyze Damping:
• Plot a graph of amplitude vs time.
• Analyze the rate at which the amplitude decreases, which indicates the damping effect.
9. Repeat for accuracy:
• Repeat the experiment multiple times to ensure accuracy and consistency of the results.
• Calculate the average values of amplitude reduction and oscillation period.

• Results/Discussions:
The experiment was conducted by attaching weights of 100 g, 150 g, 200 g, 250 g, and 300 g to a spring and
measuring the displacement and damping over time. The following table summa rises the initial displacement and the
time taken for the amplitude decreases significantly for each weight.

Sr. Mass added in Extension Time for Vibrations Time

hanger, X (m) Force Time-1 Time-2 T=(t1 + t2) Period
m(kg) F(N) (Sec) (Sec) 2 (sec)
T= t/10
1. 100 g = 0.1 kg 2.5 cm = 0.025m 0.98N 6 sec 5 sec 5.5 sec 0.55
2. 150 g = 0.15 kg 5.5 cm = 0.055m 0.15N 5.5 sec 5.7 sec 5.7 sec 0.56
3 200 g = 0.20 kg 8 cm = 0.08 m 1.96N 6.38 sec 6.33 sec 6.35 sec 0.635
4 250 g = 0.25 kg 10.7 cm = 0.107m 2.45N 7.31 sec 6.86 sec 7.08 sec 0.708
5 300 g = 0.30 kg 13.5 cm = 0.135 m 2.94N 7.27 sec 7.78 sec 7.52 sec 0.752
The oscillations for each were observed, and the amplitude for Oscillations was recorded at regular intervals
of time.
 Here is the graph of force (F) vs Extension (X) based on the data. The graph demonstrate the relationship
between the force applied on the spring and the resulting displacement, illustrating Hooks law.

In this graph, the x-axis represents the extension of the spring in meters, while why Axis represent the force

applied in Newton's. Each data corresponds a specific mass added to the spring, resulting in a particular displacement.
The linear trend observed indicates that the spring’s stiffness or spring constant (k) remains constant for the given
range of masses and displacements.

The linear relationship is crucial for understanding the behavior of oscillating systems and designing
mechanical systems that relay on predictable elastic properties. The consistency of the data points along the lion
further vibrates the experimental method and the accuracy of the measurements taken during the experiment.

• Conclusions:
The experiment aimed to study the damping features of an oscillating system using a mass-spring setup.
The results revealed that the damping increased, the amplitude of oscillations decreased more rapidly confirming
the theoretical predictions of both under-damped and over damped conditions. The time period of oscillations
also increased with greater mass, indicating a director relationship between mass and damping effect.
The data showed a clear trend of faster amplitude reduction with higher mass, which alliance with
principal of damping oscillating systems. The this experiment demonstrate the the practical implications of
damping in mechanical systems, providing valuable insights for designing stable efficient Engineering solutions.
The findings underscore the importance of understanding damping behavior to optimize performance and safety
in various applications, from automotive suspensions to structural engineering.
Overall, this experiment successfully highlighted the critical role of damping in controlling oscillatory
motion, confirming theoretical concepts with empirical evidence. The precise measurements and consistent
results validate experimental approach, contributing to a deeper understanding of damping mechanisms in
physical systems.
• Safety Precautions:
▪ Ensure that the stand holding the spring is securely fast and placed on a stable, flat surface to prevent it from
tipping over during the experiment.
 ▪ Use caution when attaching and removing weights from the spring. Dropping weights can cause injury or
damage the equipment.
▪ We are safety goggles to protect your eyes from any accidental release or snaping of the spring, which could
cause injury.
▪ Keep the work area free of unnecessary materials and ensure there is a adequate space to conduct the
experimental safely.
▪ Avoid our stretching the spring beyond its elastic limit, as this can cause the spring to the form permanently
or break, posing a risk of injury.
▪ Do not place your face or other body parts directly in the path of the oscillating spring to avoid injury in case
of unexpected movements.
▪ Ensure the stopwatch or timing device is functioning correctly and handled properly to avoid destructions or
miss handling during measurements.
▪ Use only the specified words to prevent overloading the spring, which could cause it to snap.
▪ Conduct experiment under the supervision of a knowledgeable instructor or laboratory supervisor to ensure
all safety protocols or followed correctly.
▪ Immediately report the defects or malfunctions in the equipment to the supervisor to avoid accidents.

• References
❖ ‘Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday and Resnick’ by Jearl Walker, 10th Edition
❖ ‘Vibration and Waves’ by A.P. French
❖ Definitions and Pictures:
https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/University_Physics_(OpenStax)/
Book%3A_University_Physics_I_-
_Mechanics_Sound_Oscillations_and_Waves_(OpenStax)/15%3A_Oscillations/15.06%3A_D
amped_Oscillations