To Determine the Spring Constant of a Helical Spring and a Value for the Earth's Gravitational Field Strength

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A2 COURSEWORK

AIM:

To Determine the Spring Constant of a Helical Spring and a Value for the Earth's Gravitational Field Strength

OUTLINE: I will be using a coiled spring and using its elastic properties to determine a value for its spring constant and it's oscillating properties to calculate a value for the earth's gravitational field strength, to compare to the actual value for the earth's gravitations field strength.

*SPRING CONSTANT*

Hooke's Law states - "The Force a Spring Exerts on a Body is Directly Proportional to the Displacement of the System (The Extension of the spring)"

i.e. Force Extension

So... Force = K x Extension

F = Ke

So K = F/e

* For this experiment I will have to use the same spring throughout because the spring constant values vary from spring to spring.
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* I will set-up an experiment to show the relationship between force and extension so I can calculate K, the spring constant.

* My results will be repeated and averages taken, to ensure 'fair' results.

* I will also take my results whilst loading and unloading the various weights to ensure the spring has not extended past its elastic limit.

APPARATUS:

* Clamp and stand

* Metre Rule

* Spring

* Weights (10 x 10g, 8 x 100g)

* Scales (accurate to +0.01g) (0.00001kg)

SET-UP:

PLAN:

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