Spring Oscillator Lab
The Spring Oscillator Lab lets you explore simple harmonic motion through interactive real-time simulations with damping control.
Parameters
Mass (m)
The mass of the oscillating object, in kilograms.
Range: 0.1 – 10 kg Effect: Increasing mass increases the oscillation period (heavier → slower).
Spring Constant (k)
The stiffness of the spring, in N/m.
Range: 0.1 – 10 N/m Effect: Increasing k decreases the period (stiffer → faster).
Damping Coefficient (b)
The rate at which the system loses energy to friction.
Range: 0 – 5 Effect: Higher damping causes faster energy loss. At critical damping the system returns to rest as fast as possible without oscillating.
Formulas
Period
T = 2π√(m/k)Frequency
f = 1/T [Hz]Angular Frequency
ω₀ = √(k/m) [rad/s]Damping Ratio
ζ = b / (2√(mk))Damped Angular Frequency
ωd = ω₀ · √(1 − ζ²) (underdamped only)