Force and extension practical

    Cards (21)

    • What are the steps to this practical
      1. Hang a spring from a clamp stand along side a metre ruler
      2. Measure the springs initial length
      3. Add weights in intervals of 10N and record the extension
      4. Plot a graph of extension against force
    • What piece of apparatus is used to secure the clamp stand to the desk and why?
      • A G-Clamp, so that the clamp so that the clamp doesn't tip over whilst adding masses
      • The clamp produces a moment which counteracts the moment cased by the masses so that the stand remains in equlilbrium (a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced)
    • How do you calculate the extension of a spring when you add masses?
      Subtract the extended length of the spring to the original unstretched length.
    • What can be added to a spring for accurate extension measurements?
      A pointer attached horizontally
    • Why is a pointer used with the spring?
      It makes reading the length easier
    • What safety equipment should be used during the experiment?
      Safety glasses
    • Why should safety glasses be worn?
      To protect eyes from spring breakage
    • What other safety precautions should be taken?
      Avoid standing under hanging weights
    • Why is it important to avoid standing under weights?
      To prevent injury if weights fall
    • What graph should be plotted with the results?
      Extension against force
    • What is expected from the graph of extension against force?
      It should be a straight line through the origin
    • What is the relationship between extension and force called?
      Hooke’s Law
    • What is the equation for Hooke's Law?
      Force = Spring Constant x Extension
    • What type of energy is stored in a stretched spring?
      Elastic Potential Energy
    • What equation calculates elastic potential energy in a spring?
      Elastic Potential Energy = 0.5 x Spring Constant x Extension²
    • What is the formula for elastic potential energy in symbols?
      E = ½kx²
    • How can elastic potential energy be determined graphically?
      By calculating the area under the force/extension graph
    • How can you determine the weight of an unknown object using the apparatus?
      Record extension and read corresponding weight
    • What is the first step to find the weight of an unknown object?
      Hang the object on the spring
    • What should you do after recording the extension of the unknown object?
      Draw a line on the graph to find weight
    • How do you read the corresponding weight from the graph?
      Find where the line meets the plotted line
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