Investigating springs

• What is the purpose of the practical on investigating springs?

  To explore the link between force and extension
• Why is it important to measure the mass of each weight before the experiment?

  To calculate the force applied accurately
• What formula is used to calculate the weight of the masses?

  W = mg
• What is the purpose of conducting a pilot experiment with an identical spring?

  To check if the masses are appropriate sizes
• What indicates that you have exceeded the spring's limit of proportionality?

  Increased extension with additional mass
• How should you measure the natural length of the spring?

  With a millimetre ruler at eye level
• What should you do after adding a mass to the spring?

  Allow the spring to come to rest
• How many measurements should you aim to collect during the experiment?

  No fewer than 6 measurements
• What can you plot after collecting your results?

  A force-extension graph
• What does a straight line on a force-extension graph indicate?

  Linear relationship between force and extension
• What does the gradient of the straight line on the graph represent?

  The spring constant, k
• What happens to the relationship between force and extension when the line begins to bend?

  It becomes non-linear
• What formula is used to calculate the energy stored in a spring?

  E = ½ kx²
• What does the energy stored in a spring represent?

  Energy transferred to the spring as it deforms
• How is the energy in the elastic potential energy store calculated?

  Area under the force-extension graph
• What is the limit of proportionality in a spring?

  The point where the spring no longer stretches linearly
• What should you do if you exceed the limit of proportionality during the experiment?

  Use smaller masses for further measurements
• What is the significance of the straight line portion of the force-extension graph?

  It indicates a linear relationship