Viscous Damping Constant Measurement System using Smartphone Sensor

Pradnya Vishal Sawant

Abstract: Viscous dampers are used in a variety of applications to control vibration and are essential for protecting the system. In this project, an accessible Smartphone-based viscous damping constant measurement system is presented. A Damped Spring Mass oscillator system is constructed using the vertical spring-mass apparatus. Damping is studied by recording acceleration using a built-in accelerometer in a smartphone using a sensor app such as the phyphox. The outcome of the study is represented by determining the viscous damping constant of the damped spring-mass system. The experimental method consists of the study of factors that affect damping such as liquids as a medium, weights, material, and geometrical structure. This experimental design provides a convenient, easy, affordable, and efficient way to study damping.

Keywords: Damping, Spring-mass, Accelerometer, Smartphone