International Baccalaureate Physics
4/PSOW
Investigating Springs
In this IB Lab you will be assessed on the following IB criteria:Design, Data Collection and Processing and Conclusion and Evaluation
Aim:
To investigate the interaction of springs with different spring constants, in series and parallel systems.
(Examples of different spring systems are shown in the diagrams below).
Apparatus:
Two springs, one of spring stiffness X and one of spring stiffness Y. Any other apparatus that you can
think of to complete the investigation.
Diagrams:
Spring X
Spring Y
System A
System B
System C
System D
Design:
Design a procedure that includes appropriate use of apparatus for the control, collection and analysis
of data. This procedure should include the following sections.
 Research question
 Plan for collection of data
 Variable list
 Plan for control of variable
 Hypothesis
 Diagram and suitable apparatus
Data Collection Processing and Presentation:
 Show the results for the experiment in a suitable table. Include uncertainties.
 Present all of your results in the form of suitable graphs
 Suggest relationships to help explain the systems analysed.
Conclusion and Evaluation:
 Evaluate the data that you have collected and analysed - compare your results to literature values.
 Evaluate your own plan, including any modifications you had to make to overcome problems.
Include an evaluation of the apparatus used.
 Suggest ways in which the procedure could be modified in order to improve it for the future.
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