The Interdisciplinary Laboratory

 Pre-Lab Assignment for Experiment #3:
Mechanical Resonance of a High-Rise Building

Week 1:

The following resonance data were taken from a three foot high model building. Use this data to construct a resonance curve. You should plot displacement in millimeters (on the y-axis) as a function of motor shaft frequency in Hz (on the x-axis). Please submit a hardcopy of your resonance curve to Professor Donnelly’s office, Keck 239, no later than 8 PM on the Monday before your first laboratory period.  Also please e-mail Prof. Donnelly (tom_donnelly@hmc.edu) with any remaining questions you have regarding the laboratory.

Tachometer Frequency (Hz)	Accelerometer Voltage (mV, peak-to-peak)
24	50
39	75
54	90
75	120
86	150
97	200
109	2000
138	1750
154	900
172	1000
203	1000
240	1100

Week 2:

Describe a hypothesis that you would like to test regarding mechanical resonance of our model high-rise buildings. Outline an experimental protocol for testing your hypothesis. Please submit your description and protocol to tom_donnelly@hmc.edu by 8 PM on the Monday before the second laboratory meeting.