Experiment
Stretching a spring
In Chapter 2 you designed an experiment to
solve the problem how quickly can you catch a
falling ruler?
There is another experiment in which you have
to design tests to solve a problem.
1 The problem to be solved
What happens to the length of a spring when
the mass attached to it increases?
2 Designing your experiment
You will be given a spring and some masses.
You can use other materials, but you will have
to write a list of your requirements to give
your teacher.
Work in a small group and decide how you are
going to solve the problem. Write a draft of your
3
4
method, list the materials needed and discuss
any safety issues.
Results
Design a data table for your results and plot a
line graph of the results.
Writing your report
Write a full report of the experiment including
diagrams where appropriate. In the discussion,
use the graph to write a generalisation about
the mass on the spring and the stretch of the
spring.
You could also take a digital photo of your
equipment to include in your report.
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Use a computer to write your report and
draw graphs.
Title: The Effect of Mass on the Length of a Spring
Abstract:
The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the relationship between the mass attached to a spring and the resulting stretch of the spring. A small group conducted the experiment by designing a method, listing the required materials, and addressing any safety concerns. Through the experiment, data was collected and analyzed, and a line graph was created to visualize the relationship between the mass and the spring stretch. This report presents the detailed procedures, results, and discussion of the experiment.
Introduction:
Springs are elastic objects that can be stretched or compressed. It is known that the behavior of a spring is influenced by the mass attached to it. This experiment aims to determine how the length of a spring changes when different masses are attached to it.
Materials:
1. Spring
2. Masses of varying weights
3. Ruler or measuring tape
4. Support stand
5. Clamp to hold the spring in place
6. Safety goggles (to be worn during the experiment)
7. Notepad and pen (to record observations)
8. Camera or smartphone (to capture a photograph of the setup)
Method:
1. Set up the support stand and attach the clamp to hold the spring vertically.
2. Measure the initial length of the spring without any mass attached and record this value.
3. Start with the lightest mass and attach it to the spring.
4. Measure and record the new length of the spring.
5. Repeat steps 3-4 for each additional mass.
6. Ensure that the spring is allowed to return to its original length before adding a new mass.
7. Repeat the experiment multiple times to obtain reliable data.
8. Take safety precautions, such as wearing goggles, to prevent injury.
Results:
A data table was created to record the mass attached to the spring and the resulting stretch of the spring. The recorded values were then used to plot a line graph. The x-axis represents the mass (in grams) and the y-axis represents the stretch of the spring (in centimeters).
Discussion:
Based on the line graph, it can be observed that as the mass attached to the spring increases, the length of the spring also increases. This indicates a positive linear relationship between the mass and the stretch of the spring. The graph shows a direct correlation between these variables, suggesting that the spring becomes stretched as more mass is added.
Conclusion:
The experiment successfully investigated the relationship between the mass attached to a spring and the resulting stretch of the spring. The results demonstrated a positive linear relationship, indicating that the length of the spring increases as the attached mass increases. This experiment provides valuable insights into the behavior of springs and can be further explored by considering various factors such as spring constant and different types of springs.
Write the aim of the experiment in the space below based on the problem to be solved.
Aim: To determine the effect of an increasing mass on the length of a spring.
What do you think will happen?
Write the hypothesis in the following manner:
If …
then …
because ...
Hypothesis: If the mass attached to a spring increases, then the length of the spring will also increase because the added mass will exert a greater force on the spring, causing it to stretch.
Outline the materials you will be using. You can have access to school equipment or you can bring equipment from home.
Materials:
1. Spring
2. Masses of varying weights (e.g., metal weights or household objects)
3. Support stand
4. Clamp to hold the spring in place
5. Ruler or measuring tape
6. Safety goggles
7. Notepad and pen
8. Camera or smartphone (optional, for photographing the setup)
Write a draft of your method, list the materials needed and discuss any safety issues.
Title: The Effect of Mass on the Length of a Spring
Materials:
1. Spring
2. Masses of varying weights
3. Support stand
4. Clamp to hold the spring in place
5. Ruler or measuring tape
6. Safety goggles
7. Notepad and pen
8. Camera or smartphone (optional, for photographing the setup)
Safety Precautions:
1. Wear safety goggles throughout the experiment to protect your eyes from any potential accidents.
2. Handle the masses and the spring with care to avoid injury or damage to the equipment.
3. Ensure that the support stand and clamp are stable and secure to prevent any potential falls or accidents during the experiment.
Method:
1. Set up the support stand on a stable surface.
2. Attach the clamp to the support stand, making sure it is tightly secured.
3. Measure and record the initial length of the spring without any mass attached, using a ruler or measuring tape.
4. Start with the lightest mass and attach it to the spring using the clamp.
5. Carefully measure and record the new length of the spring with the attached mass.
6. Remove the mass from the spring and allow the spring to return to its original length.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 for each additional mass, going from lightest to heaviest.
8. Ensure that the spring is allowed to return to its original length before adding a new mass.
9. Repeat the entire experiment multiple times to obtain reliable and consistent data.
10. Take note of any observations or anomalies during the experiment.
11. Optional: Use a camera or smartphone to capture a photograph of the setup for inclusion in the report.
Note: It is important to follow the established safety precautions and handle the equipment and masses with care to avoid any accidents or damage. Always take measurements accurately and repeat the experiment several times for reliable results.
Design a data table for your results and plot a
line graph of the results.