SYNDICATE

Spring Constant Assignment

 

We were given a mini-assignment which would help us with a larger task about springs and elastic energy. In this task, we were assigned to figure out the spring constant using three different springs.

 

We predicted that the spring constant, k, will be the slope of the displacement of the spring and the amount of mass that was added.

 

Materials:

• Retort stand

• Clamp

• 3 extension springs (small, medium, and large)

• Mass set

• Metre Stick

 

Procedure:

• The retort stand was assembled

• The metre stick was clamped on to one end of the test tube clamp

• The smaller spring was hung onto the retort stand

• A mass was attached to the end of the spring

• The new length of the spring was measured

• Step 4 and 5 were repeated adding more mass each time

• Step 3-6 were repeated with two other springs

 

Observations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis:

We were provided with three different springs, which were all different sizes. There was a small, medium and large spring and we tested the three springs with caries of weights. From doing this lab we will acquire the numerical quantity of k(spring constant) in the equation Fk (kinetic energy of spring)=-kx(the distance of spring being pulled back from the equilibrium). The group predication was that all the spring constant for each spring will be the same, we were extremely wrong.

Small spring:

There were 5 tests done for the small spring. The 5 different masses used and the rate of change in the distance from the equilibrium was:

10g with 5.44cm

20g with 9.78cm

30g with 14.34cm

40g with 77.65cm

50g with 80.23cm

From the data we made a graph with the best fit of line. The slop of the best fit of line is 0.3745 which is the k constant from the equation above.

Medium spring:

Same number of tests were done with this spring, but with different masses and the same type data was recorded. The results were

20g with 3.94cm

40g with 6cm

60g with 8.35cm

80g with 11cm

100g with 12.21cm

From this data a graph was made with the best fit of line and the slope/spring constant of the line was 0.0977.

Large spring:

Lastly, the same number of tests were done with this spring, but with different masses and the same type of data was recorded. The results are:

100g with 4.21cm

200g with 8cm

300g with 12.2cm

400g with 16.5cm

500g with 21.3cm

From this data a graph was made with the best fit of line and slope/spring constant of that graph was 0.0428.

From this lab we found out how the spring constant is not a set value and how it is different for every spring. The data shows that the larger the spring higher the number is for the spring constant.

 

Sources of Error:

 

Errors could have occured in this lab, this is because the measurements we took were dependant on our eyes and not precision instruments; therefore, there were outliers on the graphs. 

 

Reflection:

 

After failing miserabaly on Projectile BULL'S-EYE, the Syndicate jumped out of the abyss and easily completed this task. It took about 10 minutes to complete this entire task and it was effortless. In the end, it was proving the equation that F=-kx; which is Hook's law. This was an experience that helped the group come together and taught the group how to communicate better with one another and also in general. Woodz Co did not supervise us for this task, it was done by ourselves and it was extremely low-budget. However, sometimes, the greatest things are learned only when there is a lack of wealth.

 

Jasmit:

 

I was the documenter for this project. I wrote down all the data and in addition, I formulated the data into informative graphs that were useful in solving the purpose of this task. I believe this experience helped us evolve as a group because although it was an easy experience, I was not the one who stepped up as leader. The one who led this project was Parmveer, his leadership skills have developed and he proved it because it was he who did not forget about uploading this lab data. When everyone else got over-confident with this easy task, it was Parmveer who led us and he kept us on track. It's good to see that leadership is contagious.

 

 

Parmveer: 

This assignment was a easy one. At the starting we got together and broke down the task and no instruction were needed because everyone knew what they were doing. I played as the leader for this assignment. I had everyone evolved and paying attention to what is happening. Jasmit was the man recording the data and doing the calculations. Jasmit also helped the group by providing his insight and helping dot product and Parth with they get stuck a problem. This assignment was easy case with me as the leader and Jasmit being the right hand man.