A241_SFT3033_ Laboratory Report
MEASUREMENT OF SPRING CONSTANT FOR
SINGLE SPRING, SPRINGS CONNECTED IN
SERIES AND PARALLEL BY HOOKE’S LAW
FAHMI HAZIQ BIN BAHRIN, D20241110513
NUR HADFINA BINTI RUHAIFIZAL, D20241110523
ATHILANUR MANISHA BINTI JALALUDDIN, D20241110514
Objectives 2. Measure the initial reading of the
spring with mass hanger, lo.
To determine the spring constants Record the data.
for a single spring, two springs in 3. Put a slot of mass, m on the hanger
series, and two springs in parallel and record the reading on the scale,
using Hooke's Law. l.
4. Repeat step 3 for another values of
Introduction m (make sure DO NOT EXCEED
100 g load).
Hooke's law states that F=kx where F x is
the spring's force along the x-axis, x is the B. Two Springs connected in Series
stretch from its relaxed state, and k is the
spring constant and according to Hooke’s 1. Connect Spring 1 and Spring 2 in
law, the spring constant is the negative series as shown in FIGURE.
slope of the force vs position graph. 2. Measure the initial reading of the
Measurements are also made for springs in spring (with no load).
series and parallel to compare with single 3. Measure the initial reading of the
springs. This experiment is to investigates spring with mass hanger, lo.
the relationships between the force applied Record the data.
to a spring and its extension. 4. Put a slot of mass, m on the hanger
and record the reading on the scale,
Apparatus & Experiment Setup l.
5. Repeat step 3 for another values of
● Metre stick, springs, known masses, m (make sure DO NOT EXCEED
mass hanger, ring stand, clamp. 60 g load).
Spring C. Two Springs connected in Parallel
Metre stick 1. Connect Spring 1 and Spring 2 in
parallel as shown in FIGURE.
Mass hanger 2. Measure the initial reading of the
Ring stand spring (with no load).
3. Measure the initial reading of the
G-Clamp
spring with mass hanger, lo.
Methodology /Procedure Record the data.
4. Put a slot of mass, m on the hanger
A. Single Spring and record the reading on the scale,
l.
1. Measure the initial reading of the 5. Repeat step 3 for another value of
spring (with no load). m (can be up to 200 g).
A241_SFT3033_ Laboratory Report
Results (Data)
Part A: Determination of the spring
constant for a single spring
Mass, M Force, Reading Spring
(± 0.01 ¿ F due to extension,
−3 −1
×10 ×10 load, l x
kg N ( ± 0.1 ) (± 0.0 1¿
−2
×10 m
m
0.00 0.00 0.0 0.00 F
10.00 0.10 1.0 0.01 k2 =
x
20.00 0.20 2.0 0.02 (0.59)−(0.00)
30.00 0.29 3.0 0.03 k2 = = 4.92
(0.12)−(0.00)
40.00 0.39 4.0 0.04
k theory = ¿ ¿
50.00 0.49 5.0 0.05
60.00 0.59 6.0 0.06
(9.8 × 9.8)
70.00 0.69 7.0 0.07 k theory = =4.9
(9.8+9.8)
Part C: Determination of the spring
constant for 2 springs in parallel
Mass, M Force, Reading Spring
(± 0.01 ¿ F due to extension,
−3 −1
×10 ×10 load, l x
kg N (± 0.1 ) (± 0.0 1¿
−2
×10 m
m
0.00 0.00 0.0 0.00
F
k1 = =m 10.00 0.10 1.2 0.01
x
20.00 0.20 2.2 0.02
(0.59)−(0.10)
k1 = = 9.8 30.00 0.29 3.2 0.03
(0.06)−(0.01) 40.00 0.39 4.2 0.04
50.00 0.49 5.2 0.05
Part B: Determination of the spring 60.00 0.59 6.2 0.06
constant for 2 springs in series 70.00 0.69 7.2 0.07
Mass, M Force, Reading Spring 80.00 0.78 8.2 0.08
(± 0.01 ¿ F due to extension,
−3 −1
×10 ×10 load, l x
kg N (± 0.1 ) (± 0.0 1¿
−2
×10 m
m
0.00 0.00 3.9 0.00
10.00 0.10 5.9 0.02
20.00 0.20 7.9 0.04
30.00 0.29 9.8 0.06
40.00 0.39 11.8 0.08
50.00 0.49 13.8 0.10
60.00 0.59 15.8 0.12
A241_SFT3033_ Laboratory Report
F Hooke’s Law is widely applied in
k3 = =m
x daily life. Spring scales measure weight
(0.69−0.00) using spring displacement, while vehicle
k3 = = 9.86
(0.07−0.00) suspensions use springs to absorb shocks
k theory = k 1 + k 2 for smoother rides.
k theory = 9.8+9.8 = 19.6
Discussion
The experiment aimed to study Hooke's
Conclusion
Law by determining the spring constant
(k) for a single spring, two in series, and
The objectives were partially achieved.
two in parallel. The results showed how
The spring constant (k ) was successfully
spring configurations affect stiffness and
determined for a single spring k =9. 8 N /m
highlighted associated errors.
, two springs in series k =4.92 N /m , and
For the single spring, k =9. 8 N /m
two springs in parallel k =9. 86 N /m,
closely matched the theoretical value
demonstrating the principles of Hooke’s
based on F=kx . In the series
Law ( F=kx ) and the effects of spring
configuration, the experimental spring
configurations on stiffness. The single
constant k =4.92 N /m showed a small
spring and series configurations showed
percentage error of 0.41%, consistent with
1 1 1 results that closely aligned with theoretical
the formula = + . values, with minimal percentage error,
k k1 k 2
confirming accurate execution for these
For the parallel configuration, the setups.
experimental spring constant k =9. 86 N /m However, the high percentage error
calculated using the formula k =k 1 +k 2was (49.69%) for the parallel configuration
lower than the theoretical value of 19.6 indicated significant discrepancies
N/m, with a high percentage error of between the experimental and theoretical
49.69%. This discrepancy could be due to values. This suggests that while the
uneven load distribution, friction, or theoretical relationships (k =k 1 +k 2) were
misalignment. validated conceptually, experimental
From the experiment, the parallel inaccuracies such as misalignment, uneven
spring configuration is the hardest, as it load distribution, or friction impacted the
has the highest combined spring constant results.
(19.6 N/m, theoretical). A higher spring
constant means the springs resist References
deformation more strongly, requiring more
force to produce the same displacement Giuliodori, M. J., Lujan, H. L., Briggs, W.
compared to the single spring (k =9. 8 N /m S., Palani, G., & DiCarlo, S. E.
) or the series configuration ( (2009). Hooke’s law: applications
k series =4.9 N /m This behavior occurs of a recurring principle. AJP
because, in parallel, both springs share the Advances in Physiology
load, effectively doubling the stiffness Education, 33(4), 293–
To improve accuracy, several 296. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.
measures can be implemented such as 00045.2009
Align the springs perfectly parallel to Laboratory Manual Mechanics SFT3033,
prevent uneven force distribution and take University Guidelines.
multiple readings for each load and Suhendi, H. Y., Nurhasanah, S.,
calculate an average to reduce the impact Yuningsih, E. K., Mulhayatiah, D.,
of random errors. & Malik, A. (2019). PASSING for
A241_SFT3033_ Laboratory Report
experiment tool in elasticity and https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-
hooke’s law concept on springs 6596/1402/4/044101
arranged in series and parallel.
Journal of Physics Conference
Series, 1402(4), 044101. SUBMISSION DATE: 27 DEC 2024
