stretching a spring

• What equipment is needed for the investigation?

  Clamp stand, bosses, clamps, meter rule, spring
• Why must the meter rule be vertical?

  To ensure accurate readings of extension
• What is the purpose of the wooden splint attached to the spring?

  It acts as a pointer for measurement
• What does the unstretched length of the spring represent?

  The length with no force attached
• How do you determine the extension produced by a weight?

  Subtract the unstretched length from each reading
• What is the extension produced by a 1 Newton weight?

  4 cm
• What is the extension produced by a 2 Newton weight?

  8 cm
• What is the extension produced by a 3 Newton weight?

  12 cm
• What is the extension produced by a 4 Newton weight?

  16 cm
• What should you plot against the weight in the experiment?

  Extension
• What does a straight line graph through the origin indicate?

  Extension is directly proportional to weight
• What is meant by a linear relationship in this context?

  It means the graph is a straight line
• How does the behavior of a rubber band differ from a spring?

  A rubber band shows a nonlinear relationship
• What does it mean if a spring is elastic?

  It returns to zero extension when weight is removed
• What happens if too much weight is added to the spring?

  The graph becomes nonlinear and overstretched
• What is inelastic deformation?

  When the spring does not return to zero extension
• What is the limit of proportionality?

  The maximum weight before the spring becomes nonlinear
• What equation is used to calculate the force required to extend a spring?

  Force = spring constant × extension
• How can the spring constant be determined from the graph?

  By dividing force by extension on the linear part
• What happens to the spring constant if the limit of proportionality is exceeded?

  The spring constant may no longer be valid