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About This Simulation
Become a spring oscillation master and help determine the magnitude and epicenter of an earthquake using just a mass and a spring.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the motion of a mass oscillating on a vertical spring
- Determine the equilibrium position of a vertical oscillator
- Explain the basic properties of Simple Harmonic Motion
- Apply Hooke’s law to a spring-mass system
- Determine the magnitude and epicenter of an earthquake from a seismogram
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
- Seismometer
Related Standards
- No direct alignment
- No direct alignment
- No direct alignment
Learn More About This Simulation
Enter the ideal world…as physicists see it! In the Springs and Masses simulation, you will play with vertical springs connected to different masses in ideal conditions. You’ll learn the main properties of a special type of oscillation: simple harmonic motion. This is one of the most fundamental concepts in physics and it’s used to describe many different phenomena, from the vibration of a tuning fork to the vibrations of the electrons in an atom. In the end, you will get to see springs in action in one of their many applications: a seismic station.
Ideal springs in ideal conditions
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you attached a mass to an ideal vertical spring and you could neglect the resistance of air? These conditions are called ideal conditions and are very important for letting physicists understand the world around us. In a real lab, you can only observe approximations to ideal conditions, but in this virtual simulation, you can forget about all the real-world messy conditions. In the springs and masses simulation, you will play with a vertical spring that moves without friction and observe its motion when no air resistance acts on it.
Harmonic oscillator
Simple harmonic motion is one of the most fundamental concepts in physics. In the Springs and Masses simulation, you’ll work on an ideal system and determine its equilibrium for different combinations of springs and masses. Springs are everywhere around us, but do you know what distinguishes the spring in your pen from that in the suspensions of cars? Here, you will learn how Hooke’s law can help you determine the elasticity of different springs, and you will get to measure it yourself.
Build your own seismograph
Among their many uses and applications, a mass attached to a spring is the main building block of seismometers. Seismometers are the instruments used to detect seismic waves and other ground vibrations. Here you will get to assemble your own seismic station and learn how to read a seismogram, the recording output of a seismograph.
Will you be able to detect the magnitude and epicenter of an earthquake using just a mass and a spring?
Experience Labster for Yourself
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For Science Programs Providing a Learning Advantage
North Dakota State College of Science
“They did the simulation at home, then completed the in-person lab within 30 minutes, no questions asked, and passed the quiz with flying colors.”
Lecturer in Human Physiology
University of Westminster
"I saw some of the students who clearly didn’t necessarily like sitting there reading a book discover they could turn on Labster and keep up with the rest of the class because it spoke to them.
Modesto City Schools
"Having something that's engaging for the students gives teachers that opportunity to breathe and get excited again. Because they're seeing the kids light up, they're seeing the kids engage with content."
Wenatchee Valley College
"The question always is, ‘Can we demonstrate that the students are meeting course outcomes?’ Check! We can do that.”
San José State University
"We surveyed over 400 students. More than 90% thought Labster was easy to navigate, and that it was fun, but more importantly, most of them felt confident that they could execute the labs in person. And that confidence is a big deal."
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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Labster can be integrated within a school's LMS (Learning Management System), and students can access it like any other assignment in their LMS. If your Institution does not choose an LMS integration, students will log in to Labster's Course Manager once they have an account created. Your institution will decide the access method during the sales process.
Labster is only available for purchase by faculty and administration at academic institutions. To procure Labster, simply reach out to us on our website. Schedule a demo, book a meeting to discuss pricing, start a free trial, or simply fill out our contact form.
Labster simulations are created by real scientists and designed with unparalleled interactivity. Unlike point and click competitors, Labster simulations immerse students and encourage mastery through active learning.
Labster supports a wide range of courses at the high school and university level across fields in biology, chemistry and physics. Some simulations mimic lab procedures with high fidelity to train foundational skills, while others are meant to bring theory to life through interactive scenarios.