Objective

To determine the value of the spring constant by using a helical

spring balance.
Apparatus.
A spring, different weights to attach to the spring, a stand to to
attach spring to it and a scale to measure the extension in the spring.
Procedure.
First measure the initial length of the spring. Then we add
some weight to the spring and calculate the extension made due to
weight. Then we add some more weight and again measure the
extension. We take multiple measures by adding weight and measuring
extension produced due to the weight.
Observation.
We put small weight on a spring in grams and convert that
into kilograms. Then we calculate force on spring by multiplying weight
with gravitational acceleration (9.8) and measure the extension. We take
multiple measurements to make a graph between force exerted on a
spring and extension produced due to that force.
s.no Weight in Weight F= mg Force Extensio
grams in k F n
grams X
1 20g 0.02kg 9.8*0.02 0.196 0.5cm
2 40g 0.04kg 9.8*0.04 0.392 1.2cm
3 60g 0.06kg 9.8*0.06 0.588 1.9cm
4 80g 0.08kg 9.8*0.08 0.784 2.5cm
5 100g 0.1kg 9.8*0.1 0.98 3.3cm
 Graph of relation between force and extension
3.5

3
Extension produced due to Force

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0.2 0.39 0.59 0.78 0.98

Forece exerted on a spring due weight

Calculations.
Using the statement of Hook’s law.
F= Kx
F
K=
x By dividing both sides with x

First we calculate the spring constant using individual of

force and extension and putting in the formula.
s.no Force F Extension X Spring constant
K=F/x
1 0.196 0.5 0.392
2 0.392 1.2 0.326667
3 0.588 1.9 0.309474
4 0.784 2.5 0.3136
5 0.98 3.3 0.29697
Now we take average of the values for the spring constant.

Average=
∑ of all values
number of values
0.392+ 0.327+0.309+0.314 +0.297
Average=
5

Average = 0.3277
Result.