Physics Lab: Determining Spring Constant Hypothesis Before you begin the lab, acquire 3 different springs that you want to compare. Make a hypothesis for how the springs’ spring constants will compare. Hypothesis: Procedure 1.
Set up a stand and rod. Hook a spring on the stand. 2.
Attach a hanger (or a string with a paper clip) to the spring. 3.
Measure the hanging height with a meter stick (this is the resting state of the spring you will arbitrarily assign). 4.
Add various mass to the hangers (be careful not to apply too much weight on the spring). You will use 5 different mass amounts. You do not need to include the mass of the hanger, since your resting state is measured with the hanger attached. 5.
Measure the new height of the hanger on the spring. 6.
Repeat these steps for 2 other springs. Data Spring #1 Mass attached to spring (kg) Final Position, x (m) Initial Position, x​
(m) 0 ​
Spring #2 Mass attached to spring (kg) Final Position, x (m) Initial Position, x​
(m) 0 ​
Spring #3 Mass attached to spring (kg) Final Position, x (m) Initial Position, x​
(m) 0 ​
Results Spring #1 Deformation, x ­ x​
(m) 0 ​
Weight Force on Spring (N) Spring #2 Deformation, x ­ x​
(m) 0 ​
Weight Force on Spring (N) Spring #3 Deformation, x ­ x​
(m) 0 ​
Weight Force on Spring (N) 1.
2. Plot the results on a graph. You need 3 separate graphs, one for each spring. Plot force (y­axis) vs. deformation (x­axis). The y­intercept should go through (0,0). Using Hooke’s Law and your best fit line’s slope, find the spring constant of each spring. y = m*x+ b F = ­k*x Spring 1 Spring Constant (N/m) 2 3 Conclusion 1. What did you base your hypothesis on? 2. Do you accept or reject your hypothesis? Why?