About

The mechanical system under study is composed of a spring, a damper and two contacting bodies with friction. The different parameters can be adjusted with the sliders provided. Alfonso Urquía and Carla Martín
Dpto. de Informática y Automática
E.T.S. de Ingeniería Informática, UNED
Juan del Rosal 16, 28040 Madrid, Spain  

Translations

Code	Language		Translator	Run

Credits

Alfonso Urqua; Carla Martn; Tan Wei Chiong; Loo Kang Wee

Overview:

This briefing document reviews the "Mechanical Spring-Mass System JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5" resource available on the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore website. This resource provides an interactive simulation of a mechanical system consisting of a spring, a damper, and two contacting bodies with friction. The simulation is designed for educational purposes, allowing users to adjust system parameters and observe the resulting motion and frictional forces.

2. Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

• Interactive Simulation of a Mechanical System: The core of the resource is a JavaScript-based simulation that models a "complete mechanical spring-mass system." This system includes key components like a spring, a damper (which introduces damping forces), and two bodies that interact with friction.
• Adjustable Parameters: A key feature of the simulation is the ability for users to manipulate various parameters of the system using on-screen sliders. The description explicitly states, "The different parameters can be adjusted with the sliders provided." While the specific parameters are not listed in the provided text, it can be inferred that these would likely include properties of the masses, the spring constant, the damping coefficient, and the coefficients of friction.
• Visual Representation: The simulation provides a visual representation of the mechanical system in motion. The description mentions, "The left graph contains the entire spring system, which moves according to the spring forces acting on it." This allows users to directly observe the dynamic behavior of the system as parameters are changed.
• Graphical Output of Frictional Forces: In addition to the physical simulation, the resource provides a graphical representation of the frictional forces within the system. "The right panel shows the graph of the forward and backward frictions against time." This feature enables users to analyze the temporal evolution of these forces and understand their relationship to the system's motion. The description for teachers further emphasizes, "The masses and the spring all experience frictional forces acting on them, which is graphed out on the right graph in the simulation."
• Educational Purpose: The resource is clearly intended for educational use, falling under the "Open Educational Resources" umbrella. It is categorized under "Physics," "Newtonian Mechanics," and "Dynamics," indicating its relevance to these topics. The inclusion of "Sample Learning Goals" (though the text is "[texthttps://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_3dynamics/ejss_model_Complete_Mechanical_System/Complete_Mechanical_System_Simulation.xhtml " frameborder="0"></iframe>
• This embeddability enhances its utility for educators who wish to integrate interactive simulations into their online learning materials.
• Attribution and Authorship: The authors of the simulation are credited as "Alfonso Urquía and Carla Martín" from UNED in Madrid, Spain. Credits also mention "Tan Wei Chiong" and "Loo Kang Wee," likely contributors to the platform or translation efforts.
• Multiple Versions: The resource lists two versions of the simulation, providing alternative URLs:

1. http://weelookang.blogspot.com/2018/05/mechanical-spring-mass-system.html
2. http://www.euclides.dia.uned.es/simulab-pfp/curso_online/cap7_caseStudies/sec_mechanicalSist.htm by Alfonso Urquia and Carla Martin-Villalba This suggests that the simulation may have evolved or be accessible through different platforms.

• Part of a Larger Collection: The simulation is listed within a broader context of interactive resources on the Open Source Physics @ Singapore platform. The extensive list of other available simulations, covering various topics in physics and mathematics, indicates a rich collection of educational tools. Examples include "Monte Carlo Pi Calculation JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5," "Ball and Beam JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5," and many others spanning mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, and even mathematical concepts.
• Focus on Newtonian Mechanics and Dynamics: The categorization of the resource under "02 Newtonian Mechanics" and "Dynamics" highlights its central theme of illustrating fundamental principles of motion and forces.

3. Potential Use Cases:

• Classroom Demonstrations: Teachers can use the simulation to visually demonstrate the behavior of a spring-mass system with damping and friction, illustrating concepts such as oscillation, damping ratio, and the effects of friction on motion.
• Interactive Learning Activities: Students can use the simulation to explore the relationships between system parameters and the resulting motion and forces, gaining a deeper intuitive understanding of these concepts.
• Homework and Assignments: Educators could potentially integrate the simulation into homework assignments, asking students to observe and analyze the behavior of the system under different conditions.
• Laboratory Activities: The simulation could serve as a virtual lab, allowing students to conduct experiments and collect qualitative data on the behavior of the mechanical system.

4. Limitations (Based on the Provided Text):

• Lack of Specific Parameter Details: The description does not explicitly list the adjustable parameters, which would be helpful for understanding the full capabilities of the simulation.
• Limited Information on Learning Goals and Research: The sections for "Sample Learning Goals" and "Research" contain "[text]," indicating that this information is either missing from this excerpt or needs further exploration on the actual webpage.
• No Explicit Instructions for Use: The provided text does not include specific instructions on how to interact with the simulation or how to interpret the results.

5. Conclusion:

The "Mechanical Spring-Mass System JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5" appears to be a valuable open educational resource for teaching and learning about mechanical systems, particularly the concepts of springs, damping, and friction within the framework of Newtonian mechanics and dynamics. Its interactive nature, visual representation, and graphical output of frictional forces offer a powerful tool for enhancing conceptual understanding. The embeddability of the applet further increases its utility for online educational content. However, accessing the actual simulation and exploring the linked resources would provide a more complete understanding of its features and potential

Mechanical Spring-Mass System Simulation Study Guide

Key Concepts

• Mechanical System: A system comprising physical components that interact through forces and motion.
• Spring-Mass System: A fundamental model in physics involving a mass attached to a spring, exhibiting oscillatory motion.
• Damper: A component that dissipates energy in a mechanical system, often through friction or viscous forces, leading to a reduction in oscillations.
• Contacting Bodies: Multiple physical objects that are touching and can exert forces on each other.
• Friction: A force that opposes motion between surfaces in contact. It can be forward or backward depending on the direction of motion.
• Parameters: Adjustable variables that define the characteristics and behavior of the system, such as mass, spring constant, and damping coefficient.
• Simulation: A computational model that mimics the behavior of a real-world system over time.
• JavaScript Applet HTML5: An interactive simulation program written in JavaScript and embedded within an HTML5 webpage, allowing users to manipulate parameters and observe the system's response.
• Newtonian Mechanics: The branch of physics concerned with the motion of macroscopic objects under the influence of forces.
• Dynamics: The study of motion and its causes, particularly forces and torques.
• Graphs (in the simulation): Visual representations of the system's behavior over time, specifically showing the motion of the spring system and the frictional forces.
• Open Educational Resources (OER): Freely accessible and openly licensed educational materials.
• Open Source Physics (OSP): A project focused on creating and disseminating open-source physics simulations and resources.

Short Answer Quiz

1. What are the primary components of the mechanical system being simulated?
2. According to the description, what is the role of the dampers in this system?
3. What types of forces are acting on the masses and the spring in this simulation?
4. What information is displayed on the left graph within the simulation applet?
5. What information is displayed on the right graph within the simulation applet?
6. How can users interact with the simulation to change the behavior of the mechanical system?
7. Name the authors credited with the development of this mechanical spring-mass system simulation.
8. What are some of the subject areas under which this simulation is categorized on the website?
9. Where can this simulation model be embedded for use on other webpages?
10. What is the purpose of the "Sample Learning Goals" and "For Teachers" sections associated with this resource?

Short Answer Quiz Answer Key

1. The primary components of the mechanical system are a spring, a damper, and two contacting bodies.
2. The role of the dampers is to dissipate energy within the mechanical system, likely reducing or stopping oscillations over time due to frictional forces.
3. The masses and the spring experience frictional forces acting on them, as well as spring forces that govern the system's motion.
4. The left graph in the simulation displays the entire spring system and its movement based on the spring forces acting upon it.
5. The right panel of the simulation shows a graph of the forward and backward frictional forces experienced by the components plotted against time.
6. Users can interact with the simulation by adjusting different parameters of the system using the sliders provided at the top of the simulation interface.
7. The authors credited with the development of this simulation are Alfonso Urquía and Carla Martín from UNED, Madrid, Spain.
8. This simulation is categorized under Newtonian Mechanics and Dynamics on the website.
9. The simulation model can be embedded in a webpage using the provided iframe HTML code.
10. The "Sample Learning Goals" and "For Teachers" sections likely provide guidance on how the simulation can be used for educational purposes and what students are expected to learn.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the importance of the spring-mass-damper system as a model in physics and engineering. How does the included simulation enhance understanding of this model compared to theoretical analysis alone?
2. Explain the role of friction in the mechanical system depicted in the simulation. How does the graphical representation of forward and backward friction over time contribute to a deeper understanding of its effects?
3. Analyze the educational value of interactive physics simulations like the mechanical spring-mass system applet. What are the benefits of allowing users to manipulate parameters and observe the resulting changes in real-time?
4. Based on the description, how could teachers effectively integrate this mechanical spring-mass system simulation into their lessons on Newtonian mechanics and dynamics? What specific learning objectives could be addressed?
5. Compare and contrast the information presented in the left and right graphs of the simulation. How do these two visual representations together provide a comprehensive view of the mechanical system's behavior?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Applet: A small application, especially one embedded in a webpage.
• Damping Coefficient: A parameter that quantifies the amount of energy dissipation in a damped oscillatory system.
• Embed: To insert (something, especially a graphic, video, or sound) into a webpage or other document.
• Force: An interaction that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object.
• iframe: An HTML inline frame element that allows embedding another HTML document within the current document.
• Kinematics: The branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of objects without reference to the forces which cause the motion.
• Mass: A measure of the amount of matter in an object and a measure of its inertia.
• Oscillation: A repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value or between two or more different states.
• Spring Constant: A measure of a spring's stiffness, defined as the force needed to extend or compress the spring by a unit length.
• Viscous Forces: Resistive forces within a fluid that oppose the relative motion of layers within the fluid.

Sample Learning Goals

[text]

For Teachers

This simulation shows a complete mechanical spring-mass system. The masses and the spring all experience frictional forces acting on them, which is graphed out on the right graph in the simulation.

The left graph contains the entire spring system, which moves according to the spring forces acting on it. The right panel shows the graph of the forward and backward frictions against time.

The parameters can be adjusted with the sliders at the top of the simulation.

Research

[text]

Video

[text]

 Version:

1. http://weelookang.blogspot.com/2018/05/mechanical-spring-mass-system.html
2. http://www.euclides.dia.uned.es/simulab-pfp/curso_online/cap7_caseStudies/sec_mechanicalSist.htm by Alfonso Urquia and Carla Martin-Villalba

Other Resources

[text]

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Spring-Mass System Simulation

1. What is the purpose of this mechanical spring-mass system simulation?

This simulation is designed as an interactive educational tool to demonstrate the behavior of a complete mechanical system involving a spring, a damper, and two contacting bodies experiencing friction. Users can visualize how the system moves under the influence of spring forces and how frictional forces affect this motion over time.

2. What components are included in the mechanical system being simulated?

The simulation models a system comprised of a spring, a damper (which introduces a velocity-dependent damping force), and two contacting bodies that experience both forward and backward frictional forces.

3. What parameters of the mechanical system can be adjusted within the simulation?

The description indicates that "different parameters can be adjusted with the sliders provided" at the top of the simulation. While the specific parameters are not explicitly listed in the text, users can expect to control properties such as the masses of the bodies, the spring constant, the damping coefficient, and the coefficients of friction.

4. How is the motion of the spring-mass system visually represented in the simulation?

The simulation features a left panel that visually depicts the entire spring system. This panel shows how the components move in response to the forces acting upon them, primarily the spring force.

5. How is the frictional force acting on the system displayed?

The simulation includes a right panel that displays a graph illustrating the forward and backward frictional forces as they change over time. This allows users to observe the magnitude and direction of friction and its impact on the system's dynamics.

6. For whom is this simulation intended, and what are some of the learning goals?

The simulation is presented under "Open Educational Resources" and includes a section "For Teachers" and "Sample Learning Goals" (though the specific text for the latter is marked as "[texthttps://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_3dynamics/ejss_model_Complete_Mechanical_System/Complete_Mechanical_System_Simulation.xhtml " frameborder="0"></iframe>. This iframe code can be used to embed the interactive model directly into a webpage.