UNIVERSIDAD EL BOSQUE

ENGINEERING FACULTY
PHYSICS DEPARTAMENT
Asignature - Mechanics Physics
Teacher - Mario Alejandro Bernal Ortiz. MSc.

Laboratory No. 02
LINEAR REGRESSIONS AND THE SLINKY PHYSICS

Objetives.
Understand graphically and numerically the linear regressions importance in the physical magnitudes indirect
measurement and their respective proportionality relationships analysis.

Comment
The development of the workshop is based on the concepts studied and acquired during the respective class ses-
sion, concepts documented in the class presentations that are attached in the virtual classroom. However, it will
always be important to reinforce the knowledge acquired by making use of different resources. In this sense, if your
desire is to delve into the subject, it is suggested to review the following link, https://es.khanacademy.org/math/
cc-eighth-grade-math/cc-8th-data/cc-8th-line-of-best-fit/v/example-estimating-from-regression-line

Laboratory
Materials
• Slinky (Spring) • Meter

Marco Teórico.
The slinky are springs used as toys, there are models in steel or plastics. A Slinky physical characteristic is evidenced
when it is held vertically from one of its ends and observed that the separation distance between consecutive rings
decreases along the Slinky. This implies that its mass per unit length variable, increasing from its highest point to
its lowest point. Applying Newton’s laws to a suspended Slinky in equilibrium, found that the height “h” at which
the n-th turn is found with respect to the first (located at the bottom) is given by::
Lo L − Lo 2
h= n+ n (1)
N N2
where Lo is the Slinky natural length in a horizontal position, N is the number of rings and L is the total length
when suspended and in equilibrium. Rings should be counted from the bottom ring of the Slinky (n = 0, 1, 2, 3 · · · ).

h
n

b Pendiente=m

n
Figure 1. Figure 2.

Linear Regressions 1
UNIVERSIDAD EL BOSQUE
ENGINEERING FACULTY
PHYSICS DEPARTAMENT
Asignature - Mechanics Physics
Teacher - Mario Alejandro Bernal Ortiz. MSc.

Linearizing and rewriting the equation (1) Shape y = mx + b we have the equation (2), where, the independent
h L − Lo
variable x = n, the dependent variable y = , the line slope m = , the intersection point with vertical axis
n N2
Lo h
b= . See the graph vs n (Figure 2.).
N n
h Lo L − Lo
= + n (2)
n N N2

Procedures
1. From the expressions for “m” and “b”, deduce algebraically the expression:

L = mN 2 + bN (3)

2. Always checking the balance of the Slinky, count and measure, the number “N ” of rings and their theoretical
length “LT ” in millimeters. Then measure the height “h” in millimeters of each of the rings with respect to the
loop located in the lower part and complete Table 1 respecting the measurement units. (Suponga que la espira
mas baja es la número cero).

h
n h(mm) (mm)
n
1
2
3
..
.
N

3. Make the following graphs, on Excel or SciDAVis.

• “h vs n” millimeter scale
• “h vs n” scale Log-Log
h
• “ vs n” millimeter scale
n
h
4. Perform a linear fit to the points (linear regression), on the data in the table and graph “ vs n”, calculating
n
slope and cut point. Based on these results and the equation (3) calculate the Slinky experimental length “LE ”.
5. Analyzing the graphs and comparing the measurements made in the numerals 2 and 4 obtain conclusions about:

• Graphics behavior in general.

• The functionality of logarithmic graphs.
• The linear regression correlation.
• The precision and accuracy of your experiment.

6. Submit a lab report in IEEE format, that evidences their knowledge and understanding of the scientific method.
Don’t forget to take photographic records for the report.

Linear Regressions 2