Finding the Spring Constant of a Spring

Using Hooke's Law

Finding the Spring Constant of the Spring Using Hooke’s Law

Introduction:
The purpose of this experiment was to find the spring constant, or the stiffness, of a spring. This was done by
measuring the displacement (change in position: final position – initial position) and the force (a push or pull exerted
on an object that causes a change in motion) of the spring, testing how far the spring would stretch with a certain
weight past equilibrium.
frequency: pitch ( k x )
period: the time of one ocsillation
amplitude: volume

Hypothesis:
If weight or mass is added to the spring, then the spring constant will increase because the more weight or mass it
has to hold the stiffer it will become. The spring constant will most likely increase by at least one for every 100g
applied. The equation that will be used goes by Hooke’s Law: F = -kx

Variables:
- Dependent Variables (variables that are measured):
o Spring’s displacement
o Force
- Independent Variables (Variables that are controlled):
o How much weight/mass was put on the spring
o Spring (should be kept constant through out the experiment)

Method:

1. After putting together what will hold up your spring, connect the spring and leave it hanging vertically with
no weights/masses put on. This is the spring’s equilibrium. Measure it.
2. Next, chose a weight and attach it to your spring (200g was used for the first test).
3. Measure (once spring has stopped bouncing) the length of the spring with weight attached.
4. MAKE SURE: you are measuring from the same spots of spring each time! Also make sure that you
convert cm. to m., and g. to kg.!
5. Using Hooke’s law (F = k x, x = equilibrium,
k = spring constant, F = force), put what is known into the equation (F and x) and solve for k.
6. Repeat this at least 3 more times with different weights (ex: 200g, 300g, 400g, 500g, etc.), so that there is
more evidence to support the theory.
7. Make a graph and record your data.
8.

Safety Precautions:
Be sure to move anything that is easily broken, just in case the spring goes flying off or the weight falls off (this
shouldn’t happen, but just in case it does, be prepared).

Data Collection:
Weight Equilibrium Length + Weight Displacement Force Spring Constant
200 g . 24 m . 48 m . 24 m 1.96 N 8.16
300 g . 24 m . 59 m . 35 m 2.94 N 8.4
400 g . 24 m . 73 m . 49 m 3.92 N 8.0
500 g . 24 m . 84W m .6m 4.9 N 8.16

Data Processing:
The spring constant is found by dividing the force by displacement.
- Force is found by multiplying mass by acceleration.
-- Acceleration in this case is gravity, which is 9.8 m/s
- Displacement is found by subtracting the initial position from the final position
For example, 1.96 divided by .24 is equal to 8.166666666666
Since the spring constant is not exact each time, it means errors have occured. Measurements could be more exact,
however it was measured to the nearest number possible.

Conclusion:
The aim of the expirement was acheived. When the weight on the spring increases, so does the force. Also, the
displacement increases with the weight on the spring. The spring constant remains the same when the weight is
changed and equilibrium was kept constant through out the expirement.