Determining the oscillating mass (u) of a helical spring

Students learn how to determine the oscillating mass of a helical spring. They will also understand the relationship between mass and the period of the mass-spring system

Instructions

1. Set and record m, the mass of the mass
2. Pull the mass a few millimiters below it's equilibrium position and release it so that it oscillates in a vertical plane
3. Time 10 complete oscillations twice and calculate the period (T) of the mass-spring system
4. Vary the mass of the mass in steps and repeat instructions (1) to (3)
5. Plot a graph of (T^2) on the y-axis against m on the x-axis and determine the slope (S)
   The period of the mass-spring system is related to the load on it by the equation T^2 = ((4 * pi^2) / K)m + (4 * pi^2 * u) / K where K is a constant. T is in seconds and m is in kilograms
6. Read the intercept (C) off the T^2 and calculate u = C/S
7. What's the physical significance of u?