Name:Jovan James
Title: Hooke’s Law for a Spring
Aim: To determine the spring constant of a spring using Hooke’s Law.
Apparatus and Materials:Long thin steel spring,optical pin,retort stand,clamps,5 slotted
50g masses,mass hanger,two wooden blocks,metre rule
Diagram:
Method:
[Link] apparatus was set up whereby a spring was vertically affixed
between two wooden blocks that were clamped to the retort stand, as
shown in figure 1.
2.A slotted mass hanger was hung from the base of the spring to assist
in separating the coils of the spring. The mass holder remained
attached for the duration of the experiment, but its mass was ignored
for all readings taken
3. The length of the spring was measured, and the original length was
recorded using the metre rule and an optical pin.
4.A 50g slotted mass (changed to 40g if the silver mass was used) was
added to the hanger, and the new length of the spring, the final length,
was recorded.
5. Step 4 was repeated until a total of 7 times.
6. The force exerted by the mass was calculated using g = 10 m/.²
7. The extension of the spring was calculated by subtracting the initial
length from the final length.
8. All results were tabulated, and the values obtained were used to plot a
graph of Force against Extension.
9 .The gradient of this graph was determined to find the spring constant.
Theory:
1. A material that returns to its original shape after being stretched or
compressed.
[Link]’s Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly
proportional to its extension, as long as the elastic limit is not exceeded.
3. What is the formula for force in relation to Hooke’s law? What do each of the
terms refer to?
4. The formula follows the linear equation form
y=mx+c
y=mx+c, where
5. Since m=k,the gradient of the force vs extension graph gives the spring
constant
[Link] Hooke's Law applies, an initial force must separate the spring
coils to overcome attractive [Link] and Calculations:
Table 1: Illustrating the values obtained from performing the experiment.
Mass, m /kg Force, F /N Original Length, Final Length, lf Extension, e /m
lo /m /m
0.0500 0.500 0.153 0.163 0.0100
0.100 1.00 0.153 0.175 0.0220
0.150 1.50 0.153 0.193 0.0400
0.200 2.00 0.153 0.201 0.0480
0.250 2.50 0.153 0.220 0.0670
0.300 3.00 0.153 0.248 0.0950
1. G to kg =50g divided by 1000=0.0500kg
2. Cm to m=cm ÷ 100=15.3cm/100=0.153m
3. Force=Mass x gravity=0.0500 x 10=0.0500N
Precautions: Ensure the spring is not overstretched to avoid permanent
deformation and to align the metre rule verticaly for accurate
measurements.
Source of Error: Measurement inaccuracies from parallax error, where readings
are taken from an angle, and from minor imperfections in the spring, which
can cause inconsistent extensions..
Discussion: Hooke's Law describes a direct relationship between force and extension
for elastic materials within the elastic [Link] plotted graph confirmed Hooke’s Law,
as it showed a linear relationship with a constant [Link] elastic limit is the
maximum extension a spring can undergo before [Link] elastic limit was
not exceeded.
Reflection: Hooke's Law helps us in everyday things, like car springs that make
bumpy rides smoother. These springs take in the bumps so the car stays
steady and comfortable!
Conclusion:
