PAG 2.2 Investigating Springs In Series And Parallel

Question 1

What safety precaution should be taken when adding masses to a spring?

Answer 1

Safety goggles should be worn in case the spring snaps. Care should be taken to ensure that the load applied to the spring doesn’t exceed the springs’s capacity

Question 2

State Hooke’s Law in words.

Answer 2

Hooke’s Law states that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the load applied, up to the limit of proportionality

Question 3

Define Young’s modulus

Answer 3

Young’s modulus is the ratio of stress to strain

Question 4

What is the difference between a spring constant and a Young modulus?

Answer 4

A spring constant depends on the objects shape whereas a Young modulus is a material property so it is independent of shape

Question 5

How can the force applied by a mass be calculated?

Answer 5

Force will equal the weight of the mass
F=mg

Question 6

How do you connect springs in series?

Answer 6

Springs are connected end to end

Question 7

How do you connect springs in parallel?

Answer 7

Springs are side-by-side and share the load

Question 8

How do you calculate the spring’s extension?

Answer 8

Extended Length- Original Length

Question 9

What is elastic deformation?

Answer 9

The object will return to its original shape when the deforming force is removed

Question 10

What so the limit of proportionality?

Answer 10

The point beyond which the extension and the load are no longer directly proportional

Question 11

Why must you ensure you don’t add too large a load to your spring configurations?

Answer 11

If the load is too high, the springs may exceed their elastic limit and deform plastically. This means Hooke’s Law will no longer apply. Excessive loads may also lead to the springs snapping

Question 12

What graph can you plot for the series arrangement?

Answer 12

A graph of extension against the number of springs

Question 13

How can the strain be calculated for the series arrangement?

Answer 13

Strain is given by x/NL
Multiply the gradient by 1/L

Question 14

How can the spring constant be calculated for the springs in series?

Answer 14

Given by the inverse of the sun of the inverses of the individual spring constants
1/K=1/K+1/K2…..

Question 15

How can the spring constant be calculated for springs in parallel?

Answer 15

Equals to the sum of the individual spring constants
K=K1+K2+K3….

Question 16

What safety precaution should be taken when hanging springs and masses from a clamp stand?

Answer 16

A cover weight or G-clamp should be added to the base of the clamp stand to provide a counter-moment and prevent toppling