5.6 Investigating Springs

Question 1

In the practical what should you start out doing ?

Answer 1

Get the extra masses and measure the mass of each and then calculate the weight

Question 2

What pilot experiment can you do to check if masses are a good size ?

Answer 2

1) use identical spring
2) use up to a total of 5 masses and measure extension
3) work out increase in extension of the spring
4) if any of them cause a bigger increase than previous the limit of proportionality has been passed use
5) use smaller masses if so

Question 3

How do you investigate the link between force and extension?

Answer 3

1) measure natural length of spring will millimetre ruler
2) add marker to end of spring to make accurate
3) add mass to spring and measure new length
4) repeat process (atleast 6)
5) plot graph

Question 4

In the experiment what is the extension ?

Answer 4

Change in length

Question 5

Equation for elastic potential energy stored

Answer 5

E = 1/2 x spring constant x extension sqaured