Editor selections by Topic and Unit

The Physics Front is a free service provided by the AAPT in partnership with the NSF/NSDL.

Detail Page

Item Picture
Spring Motion Model
written by Andrew Duffy
The Spring Motion Model shows the motion of a block attached to an ideal spring. The block can oscillate back-and-forth horizontally. Users can change the mass of the block, the spring constant of the spring, and the initial position of the block. You can then see the resulting motion of the block, as well as see bar graphs of the energy and plots of the block's position, speed, and acceleration as a function of time.

The Spring Motion model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool.  It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive.  Double clicking the ejs_bu_reference_circle.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.

Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java (JRE).
Editor's Note: Students often struggle to recognize the connection between the oscillation of a mass on a spring and the sinusoidal nature of simple harmonic motion. See Related Materials for an interactive homework problem that takes learners step-by-step through each component of a "block and spring" exercise. It provides free-body diagrams, conceptual analysis, and explicit support in using the Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem to solve the problem.
1 source code document is available
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Classical Mechanics
- Work and Energy
= Conservation of Energy
Oscillations & Waves
- Oscillations
= Damped Oscillators
= Simple Harmonic Motion
= Springs and Oscillators
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Upper Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Interactive Simulation
- Audio/Visual
= Movie/Animation
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Physical Science
- Physics First
- Conceptual Physics
- Algebra-based Physics
- AP Physics
- Activity
- New teachers
  • Currently 0.0/5

Want to rate this material?
Login here!


Intended Users:
Learner
Educator
Format:
application/java
Mirror:
http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/Ejs/…
Access Rights:
Free access
License:
This material is released under a GNU General Public License Version 3 license.
Rights Holder:
Andrew Duffy, Boston University
Keywords:
SHM, SHM model, energy, harmonic, harmonic motion model, ideal spring, motion, simple
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created May 2, 2010 by Mario Belloni
Record Updated:
June 12, 2014 by Andreu Glasmann
Last Update
when Cataloged:
April 16, 2010
Other Collections:

nice applet Andrew Duffy

Author: lookang
Posted: May 13, 2010 at 12:04AM
Source: The Open Source Physics collection

u might wish check this out :)
http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=758.msg2924#msg2924

on your applet
the horizontal net force seems very short, i almost didn't see it due to the larger vertical forces.
thought u might want feedback :)

» reply

Post a new comment on this item

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4E. Energy Transformations
  • 6-8: 4E/M1. Whenever energy appears in one place, it must have disappeared from another. Whenever energy is lost from somewhere, it must have gone somewhere else. Sometimes when energy appears to be lost, it actually has been transferred to a system that is so large that the effect of the transferred energy is imperceptible.
  • 6-8: 4E/M2. Energy can be transferred from one system to another (or from a system to its environment) in different ways: 1) thermally, when a warmer object is in contact with a cooler one; 2) mechanically, when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance; 3) electrically, when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device; or 4) by electromagnetic waves.
  • 9-12: 4E/H1. Although the various forms of energy appear very different, each can be measured in a way that makes it possible to keep track of how much of one form is converted into another. Whenever the amount of energy in one place diminishes, the amount in other places or forms increases by the same amount.
4F. Motion
  • 9-12: 4F/H7. In most familiar situations, frictional forces complicate the description of motion, although the basic principles still apply.
  • 9-12: 4F/H8. Any object maintains a constant speed and direction of motion unless an unbalanced outside force acts on it.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models
  • 6-8: 11B/M4. Simulations are often useful in modeling events and processes.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics Alignments

Standards for Mathematical Practice (K-12)

MP.4 Model with mathematics.

High School — Functions (9-12)

Interpreting Functions (9-12)
  • F-IF.4 For a function that models a relationship between two quantities, interpret key features of graphs and tables in terms of the quantities, and sketch graphs showing key features given a verbal description of the relationship.?
  • F-IF.5 Relate the domain of a function to its graph and, where applicable, to the quantitative relationship it describes.?
Trigonometric Functions (9-12)
  • F-TF.5 Choose trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena with specified amplitude, frequency, and midline.?

This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.


Topic: Periodic and Simple Harmonic Motion
Unit Title: Simple Harmonic Motion

This Java model explores the motion of a block attached horizontally to an ideal spring. You can change the mass of the block, spring constant, and initial position. The model will display energy bar graphs and graphs of position, speed, and acceleration as a function of time. Try teaming this simulation with the interactive homework problem (directly below) to promote deep understanding of the sinusoidal nature of SHM.

Link to Unit:
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
A. Duffy, Computer Program SPRING MOTION MODEL (2010), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10015&DocID=1653).
AJP/PRST-PER
A. Duffy, Computer Program SPRING MOTION MODEL (2010), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10015&DocID=1653>.
APA Format
Duffy, A. (2010). Spring Motion Model [Computer software]. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10015&DocID=1653
Chicago Format
Duffy, Andrew. "Spring Motion Model." https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10015&DocID=1653 (accessed 6 November 2024).
MLA Format
Duffy, Andrew. Spring Motion Model. Computer software. 2010. Java (JRE) 1.5. 6 Nov. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10015&DocID=1653>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Andrew Duffy", Title = {Spring Motion Model}, Month = {April}, Year = {2010} }
Refer Export Format

%A Andrew Duffy %T Spring Motion Model %D April 16, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10015&DocID=1653 %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Computer Program %A Duffy, Andrew %D April 16, 2010 %T Spring Motion Model %8 April 16, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10015&DocID=1653


Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.

Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

This resource is stored in 6 shared folders.

You must login to access shared folders.

Spring Motion Model:

Is Based On Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool

The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the Spring Motion Model.

relation by Mario Belloni
Same topic as Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Block and Spring SHM

Interactive homework problem provides step-by-step help in solving a problem that involves a block attached to a spring. Includes conceptual analysis and support in using the Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem.

relation by Caroline Hall

Know of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it.
Save to my folders

Supplements

Contribute

Related Materials

Similar Materials