forces and elasticity

• an object is in equilibrium if the forces on it are balanced
• is an object is elastically deformed it can go back to its original shape and length when the force has been removed
• work is done when a force stretches or compresses an object and causes energy to be transferred to the elastic potential energy stored
• the extension of a stretched spring is directly proportional to the force applied to it
• when the maximum force is applied, the extension will be no longer proportional to the force. this is the limit of proportionality
• investigating springs practical steps:

  -set up a weighted stand and add a clamp holding the spring

  -measure the natural length of the spring with a ruler

  -add the mass to the spring

  -record the mass and measure the new length of the spring. the extension is the change in length

  -repeat the process with different amount of masses and record the results