Aim: To investigate whether adding different masses affects extension of a spring.
Diagram: Separate sheet
Method:
Step 1: Set up the clamp stand
Step 2: Wear goggles
Step 3: Attach the spring from the hook
Step 4: Add mass
Step 5: Measure the length the spring has stretched with a ruler
Step 6: Then keep adding masses and deduct original result from result after adding the mass
Step 7: Then convert the mass into weight
Results Table:
Mass Start End Extension Weight
0g 0cm 0 0 0
50g 0cm 1.1cm 1.1cm 0.5N
70g 0 cm 2 cm 2 cm 0.7N
90g 0 cm 2.75 cm 2.75 cm 0.9N
110g 0 cm 3.5cm 3.5 cm 1.1N
130g 0 cm 4.25 cm 4.25 cm 1.3N
150g 0 cm 5cm 5cm 1.5N
170g 0 cm 5.75 cm 5.75 cm 1.7N
190g 0 cm 6.5 cm 6.5 cm 1.9N
210g 0 cm 7.25 cm 7.25 cm 2.1N
230g 0 cm 8 cm 8 cm 2.3N
250g 0 cm 8.75 cm 8.75 cm 2.5N
Graph: Separate sheet
Calculate spring constant: K = F/Extension
Mass 50g: 0.5/1.1= 0.45KN/cm
Conclusion: After conducting the experiment the results showed that the greater the mass added the
greater the spring extended. It is a law of mechanics and physics discovered by Robert Hooke. This
theory of elasticity says the extension of a spring is proportional to the load applied to it. Many
materials obey this law as long as the load does not exceed the material's elastic limit. With the
experiment the results indicated that the springs did obey hooks law as the graph was plotted in a
straight line because the force and extension are directly proportional. If the graph plotted with a bend
this would have indicated that it is not obeying hooks law.
Evaluation: The results gained from the experiment were a good set of results as the graph did plot in
a straight line showing that the spring was obeying hooks law, the experiment was repeated to ensure
that the results gained were accurate. Repeating the results allowed for a more accurate result as you
can then calculate an average which is then more reliable. To make the results more accurate other
things could have been put into place such as instead of using a ruler on its own which may not be
held straight whilst reading the extension, a spirit level could be incorporated to ensure the ruler is
Diagram: Separate sheet
Method:
Step 1: Set up the clamp stand
Step 2: Wear goggles
Step 3: Attach the spring from the hook
Step 4: Add mass
Step 5: Measure the length the spring has stretched with a ruler
Step 6: Then keep adding masses and deduct original result from result after adding the mass
Step 7: Then convert the mass into weight
Results Table:
Mass Start End Extension Weight
0g 0cm 0 0 0
50g 0cm 1.1cm 1.1cm 0.5N
70g 0 cm 2 cm 2 cm 0.7N
90g 0 cm 2.75 cm 2.75 cm 0.9N
110g 0 cm 3.5cm 3.5 cm 1.1N
130g 0 cm 4.25 cm 4.25 cm 1.3N
150g 0 cm 5cm 5cm 1.5N
170g 0 cm 5.75 cm 5.75 cm 1.7N
190g 0 cm 6.5 cm 6.5 cm 1.9N
210g 0 cm 7.25 cm 7.25 cm 2.1N
230g 0 cm 8 cm 8 cm 2.3N
250g 0 cm 8.75 cm 8.75 cm 2.5N
Graph: Separate sheet
Calculate spring constant: K = F/Extension
Mass 50g: 0.5/1.1= 0.45KN/cm
Conclusion: After conducting the experiment the results showed that the greater the mass added the
greater the spring extended. It is a law of mechanics and physics discovered by Robert Hooke. This
theory of elasticity says the extension of a spring is proportional to the load applied to it. Many
materials obey this law as long as the load does not exceed the material's elastic limit. With the
experiment the results indicated that the springs did obey hooks law as the graph was plotted in a
straight line because the force and extension are directly proportional. If the graph plotted with a bend
this would have indicated that it is not obeying hooks law.
Evaluation: The results gained from the experiment were a good set of results as the graph did plot in
a straight line showing that the spring was obeying hooks law, the experiment was repeated to ensure
that the results gained were accurate. Repeating the results allowed for a more accurate result as you
can then calculate an average which is then more reliable. To make the results more accurate other
things could have been put into place such as instead of using a ruler on its own which may not be
held straight whilst reading the extension, a spirit level could be incorporated to ensure the ruler is
