Talavera, Alvin S.

Group # 4

2013102811

EXPERIMENT 205 : HOOKE’S LAW

Abstract

The objectives of the experiments are to study the elastic properties of the spring, to
determining the force constant of the spring, to investigate the relationship between the deforming force
and amount the spring stretches, and to determining the total work done on the spring when it is being
stretched. In which we find out that Based on the data that we have gathered in determining the force
constant of the spring, it was observed that when the force increases, the displacement also increases .

Introduction Where stress is the ratio of an applied

force per unit area,
Elasticity is the ability of a strained
body to recover its original size and shape after 𝐹
𝑆=
the removal of force. And Hooke’s law is the 𝐴
mathematical concept of elasticity, which
And strain is the relative change in
defines stress, strain, and other forms of
body’s length, shape or size.
mechanical deformation and properties. The
change in length, size or shape of an elastic 𝑒
𝜀=
object obeys Hooke’s law which states that 𝐿𝑜
“Within the elastic limit of a body, the
deforming force is directly proportional to the Thus,
elongation of the body.” 𝐹𝐿𝑜
𝑌=
𝐴𝑒
𝐹 = 𝑘𝑥
Note that there is an elastic limit for any object,
Where, F is the deforming force, x is the
where if the force applied exceeds the maximum
displacement, and k represents the force
stress can cause permanent deformation.
constant.
Methodology
The modulus of elasticity which is the
degree of elasticity of a material, while young’s Before conducting the experiment, the
modulus of elasticity is the degree of elasticity apparatus should all be placed on a table. The
for solid materials. It is the ratio of longitudinal figure shows the apparatus used in this
stress to the resultant longitudinal strain. experiment for Hooke’s Law.
𝑆
𝑌=
𝜀

Figure 1. Apparatus used for the experiment.
The materials used were the Hooke’s
Law Apparatus, a 4 N/m and 8 N/m springs, a
mass hanger, and a set of weights.
On the first part, the spring is hung from
the notch on the support arm of the Hooke’s
Law apparatus. This is adjusted until the reading
or the stretch indicator is aligned exactly at zero.
This will help give better results. The mass
hanger is then connected to the bottom of the
stretch indicator.
After the setting up, there will be masses
added on the mass hanger for three trials. The
first mass should be placed on the hanger, then
the change in displacement of the spring and the
weight of the hanging mass should be recorded.
After doing this for three trials, the force
constant of the spring is calculated. The average
value of the force constant should be calculated,
as well. Then, a graph is plotted from the
relationship of force and displacement wherein
the slope should be determined. The percentage
difference of the average value of the force
constant and the slope of the line is also
calculated.
These procedures are then repeated for
another spring. Using the data gathered, the total
work done in stretching the spring is calculated
in the Table 2. From the graph, the area under
the graph of force and displacement is
determined in which it should be compared to
the total work done obtained.
Results and Discussion Analysis
For the whole experiment we have
computed for the force using the first equation
for four different trials with increasing masses.
When the mass increases the displacement and
the force also increases. For two times using a
8N/m and a 4N/m.
To sum up the calculated percent errors
were less than 10% so I can conclude that the
experiment was performed successfully.
Conclusion
The objectives of the experiments are
to study the elastic properties of the spring, to
determing the force constant of the spring, to
investigate the relationship between the
deforming force and amount the spring stretches,
and to determining the total work done on the
spring when it is being stretched.
After conducting this experiment, we were able
to determine the work done on the spring when
it is being stretched and the true force
constants of the two springs. We also
determine the relationship of the force and the
amount the spring stretches which can be
essential to get the force constant. Based on
the data that we have gathered in determining
the force constant of the spring, it was
observed that when the force increases, the
displacement also increases .
Sample Computations