Required practical 6 - Force and extension Flashcards

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1
Q

Outline the basic steps of the practical

A

1) Hang a spring from a clamp stand alongside a meter ruler.
2) Measure the spring’s initial length.
3) Add weights in intervals of 10N and record extension.
4) Plot a graph of force against extension.

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2
Q

What piece of apparatus is used to secure the clamp to the desk and why?

A
  • A G-Clamp, so that the clamp doesn’t tip over whilst adding weights.
  • The clamp produces a moment which counteracts the moment caused by weights so the stand remains in equilibrium.
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3
Q

How do calculate the extension of the spring when you add masses?

A

Subtract the extended length of the spring from the original unstretched length.

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4
Q

What can you add to the spring to ensure that the extension measurements are accurate?

A

A points such as a splint attached to the base of the spring and extending to the meter ruler. This will make reading the length easier.

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5
Q

What piece of safety equipment should be used through out the experiment?

A

Safety glasses should be worn in case of the spring breaking or becoming attached and damaging your eyes.

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6
Q

What other safety precautions should be taken?

A

You should avoid standing with your feet underneath where the weights are hanging in case they fall, and wear appropriate footwear.

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7
Q

What graph should you plot with your results? What would you expect it to look like?

A

Force (weight) against extension. You would expect it to be a straight line passing through the origin. The variables should be directly proportional.

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8
Q

What is the name of the relationship between extension and force?

A

Hooke’s law.

Force = spring constant x extension

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9
Q

What type of energy is stored in the spring as it is stretched?

A

Elastic potential energy.

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10
Q

What equation can be used to calculate the elastic potential stored in the spring?

A

Elastic potential energy = ½ x spring constant x extension²

E = ½ k x²

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11
Q

How can the elastic potential stored in the spring be worked out graphically?

A

The stored energy is equal to the area under the force/extension graph.

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12
Q

How can you use your apparatus and graph to work out the weight of an unknown object?

A

1) Hang the object on the spring and record the extension it produces.
2) Draw a line from the extension on your graph until it meets your plotted line and then read off the corresponding weight.

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