Investigating Springs

Question 1

What practical can be done to find the link between force and extension?

Answer 1

1)To explore the force-extension relationship, set up the experiment with a weighted stand, clamp, fixed ruler, and spring with hanging masses. Measure the mass of each hanging mass and calculate its weight using W = mg.
2)Measure the spring’s natural length when no load is applied (take the reading at eye level and add a marker to the bottom of the spring to make the reading more accurate)
3)Add a mass to the spring, record the mass, and measure the new length to find the extension.
4)Repeat for multiple masses (at least 6), ensuring to use masses that do not cause the spring to exceed its limit of proportionality.
5)Plot a force-extension graph.
6)you can check for elastic or inelastic deformation by temporarily removing each mass and observing if the spring returns to its original length.
*A straight line on the graph shows a direct relationship between force and extension, while a curved line indicates a non-linear relationship. If the line curves, it means the spring is no longer obeying Hooke’s Law, which states that extension is directly proportional to force.

Question 2

How do you work out the energy stored in a springs elastic potential energy store ?

Answer 2

*you can use this equation to find the work done in stretching or compressing a spring or to find the energy stored in the springs elastic potential energy as long as the spring is not stretched past its limit of proportionality

Question 3

How can you work out the elastic potential energy store of a stretched storing from a force extension graph?

Answer 3

The energy in the elastic potential energy store of a stretched spring is equal to the area under a force-extension graph up to that point