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Investigating Force & Extension | Physics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Investigating Springs

  • When forces are exerted on materials, their size and shape may alter. 
  • The following outlines a standard procedure for examining a material's properties:

Investigating Force & Extension | Physics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11

Follow these steps to set up the apparatus outlined in the diagram:

  • Attach a single mass (0.1 kg or 100 g) to the spring, with a pointer affixed at the bottom, and measure the spring's position against the ruler.
  • Record the mass (in kg) and the position (in cm) in a table.
  • Add additional masses one by one and measure the new position each time.
  • Repeat the above steps until a total of 7 masses have been added.
  • Remove the masses and repeat the entire process two more times to complete three trials.
  • Take averages of the recorded data after each trial.
  • After obtaining measurements:
    • Calculate the force exerted on the spring by multiplying the mass attached to the spring (in kg) by 9.81 N/kg (the gravitational field strength).
    • Determine the extension of the spring by subtracting its original position from each subsequent position.
  • Plot a graph with force (on the y-axis) against extension (on the x-axis):

Investigating Force & Extension | Physics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11

Question for Investigating Force & Extension
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What is the purpose of adding additional masses to the spring in the given procedure?
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FAQs on Investigating Force & Extension - Physics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11

1. What is the relationship between force and extension in a spring?
Ans. The relationship between force and extension in a spring is linear, following Hooke's Law. This means that the force applied to a spring is directly proportional to the extension or compression of the spring, as long as the elastic limit of the spring is not exceeded.
2. How can we calculate the spring constant of a spring?
Ans. The spring constant of a spring can be calculated by dividing the force applied to the spring by the extension or compression of the spring. Mathematically, the spring constant (k) is equal to the force (F) divided by the displacement (x), or k = F/x.
3. What factors can affect the force and extension relationship in a spring?
Ans. Factors that can affect the force and extension relationship in a spring include the material of the spring, the diameter of the spring wire, the number of coils in the spring, and the initial length of the spring. These factors can influence the stiffness and elasticity of the spring.
4. How can we experimentally determine the force and extension relationship of a spring?
Ans. To experimentally determine the force and extension relationship of a spring, a spring can be attached to a clamp and weights can be added to the spring to measure the extension at different force levels. A graph can then be plotted with force on the y-axis and extension on the x-axis to observe the linear relationship.
5. Why is it important to understand the force and extension relationship in springs?
Ans. Understanding the force and extension relationship in springs is important for various applications, such as designing and testing mechanical systems, analyzing the behavior of materials under stress, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of structures that rely on springs for support or movement.
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