What is the relationship between the extension of a spring and the force applied to it?
Equipment Spiral spring Retort stand
Mass holder Ruler
Pointer Set of weights
Method 1. Hang the spring from a retort stand. Attach the mass holder to the bottom of the spring. 2. Secure a ruler vertically to the retort stand. 3. Fix a pointer to the end of the spring, pointing at the ruler to measure the length of the spring.
4. Record the extension of the spring when no weight is applied. (The extension before any weights are applied is zero.)
5. Keep adding weights, one at a time, and recording the extension of the spring using the ruler and pointer each time. (The extension measured is only the extra length of the spring caused by the weight applied.)
6. Record your results.
7. Draw a graph with extension length on the y-axis and applied force on the x-axis to represent the data.
Retort stand
Spiral spring
Pointer Mass holder
Weights
Ruler
) Fig. 28.12 To investigate Hooke’s law
j Go to page 83 of your Experimental Investigations Log to write up this investigation.