Investigating viscous damping using a webcam

Details Investigating viscous damping using a webcam Investigating viscous damping using a webcam

2011-06-09

arxiv.org/abs/1106.1823v1

American Journal of Physics, 78, 433-436 (2010)

Physics

Physics Education

13 pages, 5 figures

Scientific paper

We describe an experiment involving a mass oscillating in a viscous fluid and analyze viscous damping of harmonic motion. The mechanical oscillator is tracked using a simple webcam and an image processing algorithm records the position of the geometrical center as a function of time. Interesting information can be extracted from the displacement-time graphs, in particular for the underdamped case. For example, we use these oscillations to determine the viscosity of the fluid. Our mean value of 1.08 \pm 0.07 mPa s for distilled water is in good agreement with the accepted value at 20\circC. This experiment has been successfully employed in the freshman lab setting.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Investigating viscous damping using a webcam does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Investigating viscous damping using a webcam, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Investigating viscous damping using a webcam will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-580356