A student carried out an investigation to determine the spring constant of a spring. Table 1 gives the data obtained by the student. Table 1 Force in N Extension in cm 0 0.0 2 3.5 4 8.0 6 12.5 8 16.0 10 20.0 0 2 . 1 Describe a method the student could have used to obtain the data given in Table 1. Your answer should include any cause of inaccuracy in the data. Your answer may include a labelled diagram. [6 marks] loading
Question
A student carried out an investigation to determine the spring constant of a spring. Table 1 gives the data obtained by the student. Table 1 Force in N Extension in cm 0 0.0 2 3.5 4 8.0 6 12.5 8 16.0 10 20.0 0 2 . 1 Describe a method the student could have used to obtain the data given in Table 1. Your answer should include any cause of inaccuracy in the data. Your answer may include a labelled diagram. [6 marks] loading
Solution
The student could have used Hooke's Law to obtain the data in Table 1. Hooke's Law states that the force needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance is proportional to that distance. This means that the force F needed to extend or compress a spring by a distance x is F = kx, where k is the spring constant.
Here's a step-by-step method the student could have used:
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Set up a stand with a spring hanging vertically. At the bottom of the spring, attach a holder where weights can be added.
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Measure the initial length of the spring with no weights added. This is the unstretched length of the spring.
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Add a known weight to the holder and allow the spring to come to rest. Measure the new length of the spring.
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Subtract the unstretched length from the stretched length to find the extension of the spring.
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Repeat steps 3 and 4 with different weights.
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Plot a graph of force (y-axis) against extension (x-axis). The gradient of the line of best fit through the origin gives the spring constant.
Possible causes of inaccuracy in the data could include:
- Not allowing the spring to come to rest before measuring the extension.
- Parallax error in reading the ruler used to measure the extension.
- The spring not obeying Hooke's Law perfectly, especially if it is stretched or compressed beyond its elastic limit.
- Air resistance or friction in the holder could affect the extension of the spring.
- The weights used might not be perfectly accurate.
A labelled diagram could include a stand, a spring hanging vertically from the stand, a holder attached to the bottom of the spring for adding weights, and a ruler for measuring the extension of the spring.
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