Rocket Design Booklet- Hooke’s Law Investigation

Hooke’s Law Investigation

1) use a ruler to measure the original length of the spring
2) clamp the spring using a clamp and stand
3) add masses ( 100g ) to the spring one at a time
4) make sure the spring has stopped moving before taking each measurement to make it more precise
5) use a ruler to measure the new length of the spring
6) make sure the ruler is vertical using a set square to a sound parallax error
7) calculate the extension by: new length of spring - original length of spring
8) repeat the measurement for each mass again by unloading
9) calculate the average extension
10) draw a line graph of force and extension

Elastic behavior definition

If an object shows elastic behavior, then the objects returns to its original shape once the force has been removed

Elastic limit definition

The point at which the maximum amount of force can be applied to the object before the objects shape is permanently changed, this means once the force is removed, the object does not return to its original shape/ length

Extension of spring equation

Extension of spring = new length of spring - original length of spring

Describe the relationship between the fourth and the extension of the spring

Force is directly proportional to extension which means if I double the force the extension will also double

How could you tell from your graph that it is directly proportional

It is a straight line of a positive gradient
The line passes through the origin (0,0)

How can you tell from the graph that the object has been stretched beyond its elastic limit

The end of the graph is curved
The elastic limit is where the line stops being straight

What would happen when the force of taken of a spring that has been stretched beyond its elastic limit

Permanent stretch ( look at diagram )