Physics IA 0906 Planning

I think the result happens because of Hooke’s law. It state that:

Which:

F is the restoring force exerted by the spring

x is the displacement of the end of the spring from its’ equilibrium position

k is the spring constant.

The law state s that the extension of a spring is directly proportional with the load added to it as long as the load does not exceed the elastic limit. In this situation, I will not change or adjust the masses load on the spring, so the F is constant. Therefore, smaller spring will extend more which means smaller spring constant, and the spring connect in series will also have smaller spring constant because it have a greater x than the springs in parallel series.

---

Here is the table I collected from Internet:

Prediction:

Selecting Variable & Apparatus list (Combined):

Independent variable:

• 1 thin spring
• 1 fat spring
• 1 set of same springs.

Dependant variable:

• Displacement (x) _ 100cm ruler.

Controlled variables:

• Acceleration due to gravity g (ms-2) = 9.81
• Mass of the block (use only one for the whole experiment): 500g (brass) metal block

---

Diagrams:

1. Different size and shape of springs apply on the same brass metal block.

---

2. Different way to connect the spring system:

---

Method for the control variables:

• Mass (m): same mass for the whole experiment, using the 500g brass metal block.
• Displacement (x): Using 100cm ruler to measure the displacement x. The ruler should be long enough because if the x is about 100cm it’s not possible for the spring using in the physics lab.
• Acceleration due to gravity (g): As long as the experiment performed at the same location then acceleration due to gravity will remain constant.
• Different set, types of spring and spring system but all of them have to connect to one metal block only. For the spring to use in the spring system experiment, make sure they are the same, with same length, same shape, same size. In the difference shape of spring experiment, make sure both spring have the same length.

Procedures:

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram, with one end of the spring attached to the horizontal support on the clamp stand. Attach the brass metal block mass holder to the bottom the spring.
2. Position the meter rule next to (but not touching) the spring so that the amplitude of oscillation can be controlled.
3. For the first experiment, doing the same step 1 and 2 but using the different spring, fat and thin one. Then record down the 2 x.
4. For the second experiment, spring in series will have the mass at the end of the second spring, but for the spring in parallel, I think we should use the string to connect both end of the 2 springs then hang the mass on the string. Then record the 2 x of  the 2 spring systems.

Data Collection:

1st experiment:

2nd experiment: