In this investigation I am trying to find out how a spring behaves and if I double the ammount of springs I double the average extension pull.

So when 2 springs are in series the spring stiffness should halve as long as the force is at a constant, balancing out the force between them. If I was carrying out the investigation using the springs in parallel it would have the opposite affect and the springs would have inverse proportion.

Range/Values

The number of springs I will be using is up to 6 springs this includes repeats and calculating and average for every spring. I feel this is a sufficient ammount to collect accurate results. The values I will be using on the Newton metre are 3N, 6N and 9N

Apparatus

• Ruler – results will be recorded using mm.
• Newton metre
• Springs – all springs are said to be identical this is soothe test is fair when adding on springs.
• Clamp

Diagram

Method

        To start the investigation firstly I shall collect my apparatus. I will then set up the experiment according to the diagram. This is making sure that the ruler is in the correct position and the rest of my apparatus are secure using a clamp to secure the spring – this is important as under certain forces if the spring is insecure it could cause a safety hazard. I will make sure the force shown on the Newton Metre is always at 0 before every experiment. This is so the force it shows is that only of the extension of the springs. I will secure the ruler to the table using masking tape and position it so that the ruler starts at the beginning of the first spring. I will be stretching up to 6 springs and will repeat results for every spring. For a fair test I will keep the forces used on the Newton metre the same the values I am using are 3N, 6N, and 9N I feel this is a good even spread on force and should give me reliable results. I will record my results in a table using (mm) as this gives me more accurate results. I will repeat the experiment and then calculate an average. I will also plot my average results into a graph to show my results more clear.

Results Table

Conclusion

        Looking at my results I can see that my results are quite accurate. My Graph shows quite accurate lines of best fit and I can see that data has proved my prediction correct. Looking up at my results table with a force of 3N on 2 springs the extension showed 230mm then when the springs had doubled to 4 springs the extension showed 460mm it had also doubled. I have proved my prediction correct with a different example of it on my graph.

Evaluation

        I am pleased with the overall experiment and feel the results collected proved my prediction effectively and were reliable. Looking at my graph and line of best fit I can see no odd results and feel I have accomplished the task set effectively. The results collected were that anticipated from my prediction. If I was to do the experiment again I may not be so lucky that my results are accurate and would test that the springs were identical unlike this time when we were just under the knowledge that the springs were meant to be identical. Also next time I may use more amounts of force instead of just 3N, 6N, and 9N using more numbers of force would give me a better spread of results.