A heavy gauge steel wire is held vertically under tension within a welded frame. The frame is able to be clamped to the lecture bench. Clamped to the wire is a thin aluminum platform that is able to oscillate in the horizontal plane. Two pairs of holes, each capable of holding a 1-inch ball bearing, have been cut out of the plate at 6cm and 29cm from the central torsion wire. A noticeable change to the oscillation frequency can be observed as the ball bearings are moved from the outer holes to the inner ones.
Setting It Up
The edges of the aluminum plate are sharp, so make sure to stand clear and watch your fingers as the platform swings!
See also: Oscillations and Waves, Simple Harmonic (and non-harmonic) Motion, [M], [t],
Answers & Comments
Answer:
A heavy gauge steel wire is held vertically under tension within a welded frame. The frame is able to be clamped to the lecture bench. Clamped to the wire is a thin aluminum platform that is able to oscillate in the horizontal plane. Two pairs of holes, each capable of holding a 1-inch ball bearing, have been cut out of the plate at 6cm and 29cm from the central torsion wire. A noticeable change to the oscillation frequency can be observed as the ball bearings are moved from the outer holes to the inner ones.
Setting It Up
The edges of the aluminum plate are sharp, so make sure to stand clear and watch your fingers as the platform swings!
See also: Oscillations and Waves, Simple Harmonic (and non-harmonic) Motion, [M], [t],