Investigating Springs (practical)

Question 1

What do you do before you start the investigation

Answer 1

Set up the apparatus
Measure the mass of each of your masses and calculate its weight using w=mxg

Question 2

How do you do a quick pilot experiment

Answer 2

1. Use an identical spring to the one you’ll be testing
2. load it up with the masses one at a time until the 5th one.
3. Measure the extension each time you add another mass
4. Work out the increase in the extension of the spring for each of your masses.
5. If any of them cause a bigger increase in extension than the previous masses, you’ve gone past the springs limit of proportionality.

Question 3

The practical

Answer 3

1. Measure the natural length of the spring with a millimetre ruler
2. Take the reading at eye level and add a marker to the bottom of the spring
3. Add a mass to the spring and allow the spring to come to rest.
4. Record the mass and measure the new length of the spring. the extension is the change in length
5. Repeat this process until you have enough measurements

Question 4

Plotting your results on a force extension graph

Not really needed i think

Answer 4

once you collected your results using the method plot a force extension graph of your results it will only start to curve if you exceed the limit of proportionality

Question 5

Plotting your results on a force extension graph 2222

icl bunch of yap

Answer 5

When the line of best fit is a straight line it means there is a linear relationship between force and extension (they’re directly proportional) F=KE so the gradient of the straight line is equal to k(spring constant)

When the line begins to bend the relationship is now non linear between force and extension the spring stretches more for each unit increase in force

Question 6

How do you work out energy stored for linear relationships

Basically formula

Answer 6

Elastic potential energy (J)= 1/2k(spring constant) e^2 (Extension)

Question 7

What happens if you’ve gone past the springs limit of proportionality?

Answer 7

if this happens use a smaller masses to get enough measurements on your graph