School Projects

Math 1060: Reflection

    Spring systems are used in everyday things, from garage doors to light switches.  This assignment gave me a simple example of springs and had me graph a simple graph. In real life we have, essentially, two different types of springs: compression and extension.  An extension spring provides force inwardly whereas a compression spring provides force outwardly.  Unlike this assignment there are many different things that go into spring design.  Physical constraints of where you need the spring, the diameter of the wire, and the number of coils all effect the initial tension.  Even fatigue life needs to be considered when designing the spring; for example the spring used in your click pen will only see about 20,000 lifetime cycles, the springs in the front suspension of your car, however, will see compression with every deviation in the road.  

    A screen door is another example of an everyday item that use springs.  The amplitude is the distance created by the arc of the swing of the door.  If you open the door half way the amplitude is different from opening the door fully because the extension of the spring is less.  The springs constant, measured in pounds per inch, affects the period: a higher spring constant means a smaller period.  The frequency is determined by how often use the door and the period.  It isn't exactly important in your everyday life to know the period, frequency and amplitude of your screen door, however, you are using it and know them one way or another.  For example: I know if I am running late and I push hard on the door it will open wide enough and for long enough for me to get out of my house, on the other hand, if I am carrying 5 bags of groceries I know that I need to use my back to keep the door open so I can get in without having the door trip me.  Springs are used in our everyday life.  We calculate the amplitude, period, and frequency of different springs without knowing we are doing so.  The amplitude, period, and frequency are important to know if you are designing the springs, but in our everyday we can be a little off on our calculations because this isn't saving a life, it is determining if we can make it into the house.

    When I started this project I knew my teacher would ask how it affected my view of trigonometry in my everyday life.  I really don't know what my view was when I started my project but after doing the project and talking with my father, an engineer, I realized how springs are around us everywhere.  Springs affect my everyday life and without people who understand trigonometry I might not have a proper screen door, a broken car, or a non-clickable pen.  Springs and spring design have made our lives so much easier from ski bindings to hair dryers, springs and trigonometry are used in our everyday lives and affects us whether we notice it or not.