IB Physics Experiments on the Spring and Weight of the Air
/A tutorial sheet on springs and the gas laws. This experiment on which this tutorial sheet is based was indicated by Robert Boyle in 1660.
A 2.0 kg piston that is free to move rests 1.8 m above the bottom of a cylinder containing one mole of helium gas at 300 K. The piston is raised 20.0 cm and released. Assume that the temperature remains constant as the piston moves.
- Find the net force acting on the piston as a function of its displacement from the equilibrium position.
- Show that the movement of the piston is simple harmonic motion.
- Find the frequency of oscillation of the piston.
- Find the spring constant of the gas.
