Investigating the Vertical Oscillations of a Loaded Spring

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Jackson Heddy

29/04/02

Investigating the Vertical Oscillations of a Loaded Spring

Aims:

The aim of this investigation is to find the elastic constant of the spring under study. The elastic constant of material is always useful to know and in some cases vital. For instance the elastic constant of a bungee rope is vital. It will tell the operator of the ride by how much the bungee rope will extend, using Hookes law (F=kExt.), and so how far the rider will fall. Using this they can calibrate the ride so as the give the rider the best possible experience. So a way of finding out the elastic constant of a material is important in today's jumping-off-bridges kind of world. Because of this the aim of this experiment is to find out through experimentation the elastic constant of a material and find out if it is the same as what is stated in the specifications of the material. The object under investigation is a metal spring.

Method:

To find the elastic constant of the spring I will attach a mass (a weight with its mass measured on the scales) to it, then stretch it to