The Spring Quiz Interactive is an adjustable-size file that displays nicely on smart phones, on tablets such as the iPad, on Chromebooks, and on laptops and desktops. The size of the Interactive can be scaled to fit the device that it is displayed on. The compatibility with smart phones, iPads, other tablets, and Chromebooks make it a perfect tool for use in a 1:1 classroom.

 

The Spring Quiz Interactive consists of one long, multi-part problem. The problem pertains to simple harmonic motion of a mass on a vertical spring. More than a problem, Spring Quiz is a complete analysis involving kinematics, Newton's Laws, and energy principles.

The default state of the Interactive is a relaxed spring (with no mass) hanging from a vertical support. Students begin their analysis by tapping on the light blue button labeled Attach a Mass. A mass is placed on the spring and slowly lowered to its equilibrium position (Position B). Students then answer 9 questions about Position B - height, ∆x, a, F_net, F_spring, F_grav, k, PE_spring, and PE_grav. Feedback for each answer is immediate; opportunities for correction are allowed. A short hint is provided when a user taps on the Hint button. The program is gracious about +/- signs, inserting the proper sign when it is neglected. The error allowance on submitted answers is also gracious. Student answers are tabulated in a well-organize table, allowing a student to reference numbers for later calculations.

Once the first nine questions are answered, the spring is stretched downward until the mass is at position C. The user must then answer 11 additional questions about Position C - height, ∆x, F_spring, F_grav, F_net, a, v, PE_spring, PE_grav, KE, and Total Energy. 

After position C is analyzed and the numerical values are tabulated, the spring is released and begins vibrating. Students must then analyze the highest position about equilibrium, defined as Position A. All the same values must be determined - height, ∆x, F_spring, F_grav, F_net, a, v, PE_spring, PE_grav, KE, and Total Energy. Once the position C analysis is completed, students must then determine the following for the equilibrium position (Position B) - Total Energy, KE, and v. 

A score is reported as the analysis is being completed and once the analysis is complete. A perfect score is a 102 for answer all questions correctly on the first attempt. Deductions are made for incorrect answer submissions. Students can attempt the analysis over with a different spring or a different mass. Numerical values are randomly selected from a pre-set number of options for k and m. 

This Interactive is a great tool for AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C students and for any Honors or IB Physics class that covers simple harmonic motion. The structured approach, the immediate feedback, the opportunities for correction, and the option to repeat the analysis with different numerical values provides students with little excuse for mastering one of the most difficulty problem types they will encounter.

 

 

 

There are numerous resources at The Physics Classroom website that serve as very complementary supports for the Spring Quiz Interactive. These include:

 

 

Visit the Science Reasoning Center.

 

 

Additional resources and ideas for incorporating the Spring Quiz Interactive into an instructional unit on vibrations and waves or work and energy can be found at the Teacher Toolkits section of The Physics Classroom website.  Visit Teacher Toolkits.

 

 

 

 

Credits

We owe a special thanks to Physics teacher Martin Kirby for contributing this simulation to our Interactives collection. If you like this sim, you can tap on the Donate button and buy him a cup of coffee (or a pot of coffee); he'd appreciate it. Martin has contributed many other simulations to our Interactives collection. You can view them all by visiting our page listing all Martin Kirby Simulations. Or visit Martin's website (kirbyx.com) to learn more.