Lab6InvestigatingHookesLaw Prof.

vanderVeen

Physics152 LabInstructors:Mr.Stankovich;Ms.Walker

Lab 6: Investigating Hookes Law with springs

In this lab you will find the spring constant for three different springs, then use this to find the mass of some objects of unknown mass. Finally, you will do a real exploration, which is NOT in your book, to discover how the equivalent spring constantchangeswhenyouaddspringsinseriesandinparallel! Pre-lab: Last week you graphed various functions, which represent relationships between variables. From the description of the way a spring stretches when you hang a mass from it described below, predict what the graph would look like of Force (mg) as a function of stretch (x), and draw it in the space below the picture.

Part A: Finding the k of three different springs: Equipment: Ruler and pole arrangement (thanks to Norm!); three different springs (one fat copper-colored spring and two from the mixed spring box); set of masses from few tens of grams to 200 grams or so (be careful not to overstretch the springs!!).

Feb.2427,2009

Page1

Lab6InvestigatingHookesLaw Prof.vanderVeen Procedure:

Physics152 LabInstructors:Mr.Stankovich;Ms.Walker

1. First hang a spring on the pole, and mark the height of the bottom of the spring without anything hanging from it. 2. Next, hang a small mass, say 10 grams (.01 kg) from the bottom of the spring, and note the DELTA x i.e., the amount that the spring stretched. 3. Add mass in constant increments, say 10 grams at a time, or 20 grams at a time. For a stiffer spring you may go up in larger increments. Record the amount of stretch relative to the initial position. Record all your data in a table: Mass Weight (kg) 0 x x = x-xi

(Newtons) (meters) 0 0

4. Graph Force (mg) as a function of stretch (x). You can graph in Excel, or by hand.

5. Repeat for two more springs. Helpful hint: Partner with another group, and each of you take one spring from the mixed spring box. Be sure you each have springs with different stretchiness. Each group get the data table and graph for ONE spring, and then TRADE. In this way you will have three different graphs, but you can save time.

Feb.2427,2009

Page2

Lab6InvestigatingHookesLaw Prof.vanderVeen Conclusion of Part A:

Physics152 LabInstructors:Mr.Stankovich;Ms.Walker

You now have THREE graphs for THREE different springs. CALCULATE the spring constant for each spring from the slope of the graph. SHOW ALL YOUR MATHEMATICAL REASONING: On the y-axis you have Force, which is mg. On the x-axis you have stretch, which is x. Calculate the slope, and be sure to use the CORRECT UNITS! k1 = k2 = k3 =

Part B: Finding the mass of three unknown objects from your graph. Select three objects the weight of which you dont know, such as someones keys, maybe a candy bar, a toy animal, a glove, etc. Hang each object, one at a time, from one of your springs and record the amount of stretch. Plot this stretch on the graph for that spring on the x-axis, and using the graph, find the weight of the object by reading up from the x-axis to the line mg = kx, and then reading across to the weight. Weigh your object on one of the electronic balances, and compare this measurement with the weight you derived from your graph. How close were you?

You should have all three graphs in your lab notebook, as well as the three data tables, and the masses of your unknowns from your graphs and the comparison with the weight from the electronic balance.

Part C: A really cool investigation. Finding the equivalent k for springs in series and springs in parallel. Prediction: Do you think it takes more force to stretch three springs that are hooked together in series (end-to-end) or three springs that are hooked together in parallel (next to each other)? WRITE YOUR PREDICTION, AND EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING: (This part is very important, so dont skip it!)

Feb.2427,2009

Page3

Lab6InvestigatingHookesLaw Prof.vanderVeen

Physics152 LabInstructors:Mr.Stankovich;Ms.Walker

After you have written a prediction, work with another group (4 people together) and take three fat copper-colored springs. Try putting them next to each other and end-to-end and describe what you see:

Were you surprised?

Now lets get quantitative. Answer all the questions! 1. Hang three springs that seem to be identical, side by side from the horizontal portion of the pole. Put a light stick across their bottoms, such as a light-weight plastic pen. Neglect the masses of the springs and the pen. Note the position of the bottom of this parallel arrangement of springs on the meter stick. 2. Hang 5 - 10 different masses from this parallel arrangement, and record the displacement of the system for each weight in a data table, just like you did in Part A. (If you are running out of time, just do 5 masses.) 3. Graph these data, just like you did in Part A, with the weight (Force) on the vertical axis and the displacement (x) on the x-axis, and calculate k-equivalent for this system from the slope of the graph. 4. IS k-equivalent GREATER, THE SAME AS, OR LESS THAN, k FOR AN INDIVIDUAL SPRING? (You found the k for the copper-colored springs first, in Part A!)

5. Now take down the parallel arrangement, and hook the three springs end-to-end. Whoa, what do you notice right away! Cool, huh? Tee-hee-hee! 6. Note the position of the bottom of EACH spring, with no extra mass on the bottom, and record these in a data table (x1-initial , x2-initial , and x3-initial) and the initial position of the bottom of the whole thing (which is x3-initial). 7. Now CAREFULLY hang a small mass, say 20 grams or so, from the bottom, and note the new positions of the bottom of each spring ( x1, x2 and x3) and the total displacement, xtotal) Repeat this for 5 masses, record in a data table, and graph Force (mg) as a function of displacement of the system (xtotal). Find k-equivalent for this system from the slope of this graph.

8. Is the k-equivalent for three springs in series the same as, greater than, or less than, the k for any of these springs alone?

Feb.2427,2009

Page4

Lab6InvestigatingHookesLaw Prof.vanderVeen 9. Concluding remarks:

Physics152 LabInstructors:Mr.Stankovich;Ms.Walker

When you add springs in PARALLEL, the equivalent spring constant of the system is (greater than, same as, less than) the spring constant of one spring alone. When you add springs in SERIES, the equivalent spring constant of the system is (greater than, less than, the same as) the spring constant of one spring alone.

10. With the help of your very wise Lab Instructor, derive the expression for finding k-equivalent for springs in parallel and springs in series.

This is actually quite useful to know! For one, you may find yourself having to build something with springs one dayfor another, when you study circuits, you can use springs as the mechanical analog of certain parts in your circuit. This can be convenient for modeling, the behavior of systems!

Feb.2427,2009

Page5