SpringMechanics

This app demonstrates the physics of a mass attached to a spring.

The app is divided into three main sections:

1. Animation Window, at the top: Displays the spring and mass in real-time. The top block represents the drop zone, and a dashed line shows the rest length of the spring, which is 1.0 meters. The mass is shown as a red square attached to the spring.

2. Graph Window, in the middle: Shows the height of the mass versus time. Horizontal grid lines represent 1 meter intervals, and vertical lines represent 1 second intervals. The green line indicates the rest length position.

3. Control Panel, at the bottom: Contains Start, Stop, and Reset buttons, as well as adjustable sliders for the simulation parameters.


2.2 Running a Simulation

1. Adjust Parameters: Use the sliders to set your desired values for drop height, spring constant, mass, and damping.

2. Press Start: Click the Start button to begin the simulation. Watch both the animation and the graph as the mass oscillates.

3. Observe: The simulation will automatically stop when the mass reaches equilibrium, or settles at the rest position.

4. Adjust and Repeat: Press Reset to return to initial conditions, adjust parameters, and run again to see how changes affect the motion.


2.3 Adjustable Parameters

Drop Height, ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 meters: The initial height from which the mass is released. Higher values create larger oscillations.

Spring Constant k, ranging from 10 to 200 N / m: Measures spring stiffness. Higher values mean a stiffer spring that oscillates faster.

Mass m, ranging from 0.1 to 10 kg: The mass of the object. Heavier masses oscillate more slowly and stretch the spring more.

Damping c, ranging from 0.1 to 30 N·s / m: Represents energy loss due to friction or air resistance. Higher damping causes oscillations to decay faster.