M A S T E R P A G E
BOSSWorksheet
4.3b
Name ___________________________________________________________ Date _____________________
Cooperative Group ____________________________ Scientist __________________________________
Coordinator
____________________________ Technician __________________________________
Engineer
____________________________
Record oscillation times in the data table below in the appropriate place for each rod assembly. These times are
measured in seconds per 10 cycles. Repeat the measurement four times to minimize human error, then record.
Caution: Start the stopwatch as a numbered block reaches its maximum swing and start counting with zero, otherwise you
will end timing only nine swings. Practice this until your times for 10 oscillations are fairly close to each other.
Calculate the
average time
for each oscillation by adding four measurements and dividing by four. Record.
Calculate the natural
frequency
.
Divide 10 cycles by the average time (do not simply move the decimal point).
Frequency is measured in hertz, or cycles per second. Record.
A. Data Table: Oscillation Times
Rod Assembly
Oscillation Time (sec/10 cycles)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Avg. Oscillation Times
(sec/10 cycles)
Natural Frequency Hertz
(cycles/sec)
#1
#2
#3
#4
1. How much variation do you notice among the four trials? __________________________________________
2. What relationship do you notice, if any, between the height of the rods and their natural frequencies?
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B. Heights of the Rod Assemblies
1. Measure the height of each rod assembly from the base to the top of the block and record it.
Rod Assembly
Height (cm)
#1
#2
#3
#4
2. What is the approximate difference in height between #1 and #2, #2 and #3, and so on?
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