You Can Investigate Hooke’s Law with a Spring

Question 1

What do you do first?

Answer 1

Measure the length of the spring when no load is applied

Question 2

What do you need to ensure for the first step?

Answer 2

That the ruler is vertical and you measure the spring at eye level

Question 3

What do you do second?

Answer 3

Add one mass as a time and allow the spring to come to rest, then measure the new length

Question 4

What is the extension?

Answer 4

The change in length from the original length

Question 5

How long do you repeat this process for?

Answer 5

Until you have enough measurements (no fewer than 6)

Question 6

What do you do once you’re done?

Answer 6

Repeat the experiment and calculate an average value for the length of the spring for each applied weight

Question 7

What do you plot on the vertical axis of your graph, and what do you plot on the horizontal?

Answer 7

Vertical - show force

Horizontal - total extension

Question 8

What should you find?

Answer 8

That the same increase In the weight on the end of the spring always leads to the same increase in extension - Hooke’s las in action

Question 9

What do you repeat the experiment using?

Answer 9

A metal wire or a rubber band instead of the spring