Hooke’s Law Investigation

Aim: To investigate how the force applied to a spring affects the extension of the spring.
1. Write down the variables for your investigation.

The independent variable is the variable that you changed or selected the values for.

Independent variable: 

The dependent variable is the variable that is measured for each change of the independent
variable.

Dependent variable: 

A control variable is one which may, in addition to the independent variable, affect the outcome

of the investigation and therefore must be kept constant.

Control variables:

2. Set up your equipment as shown on the method sheet.

3. Measure the length of your spring and record this in the space below.
The start length of the spring is cm.
4. Carry out your investigation using the method sheet. Record the extension of the spring in
the table below.
extension = length of the extended spring – start length of spring
5. Calculate the mean extension for each force applied to the spring.
Add up the three repeat measurements. Divide the total by 3 to calculate the mean.

Extension (cm)
Force (N)
Repeat 1 Repeat 2 Repeat 3 Mean

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 Hooke’s Law Investigation

6. Compare the mean extension for 1N and 2N, then compare the mean extension for 2N and
4N.
Complete the sentences to describe what happens to the extension each time the force is
doubled.
When the force is doubled, the extension .

The extension is to the force added to the spring.

7. Draw a graph of your results on graph paper.

We can use Hooke’s Law to calculate the spring constant for the spring.
force = spring constant × extension
8. Rearrange the equation to make the spring constant the subject.

spring constant =

9. Use the rearranged equation to calculate the spring constant for each of your results and
record in the table below.

Force (N) Mean Extension (cm) Spring Constant (N/cm)

10. Calculate the mean spring constant.

Add up the five calculations of spring constant. Divide the total by five to give the mean.

The spring constant of the spring is N/cm.

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Hooke’s Law Investigation Answers
Aim: To investigate how the force applied to a spring affects the extension of the spring.
1. Write down the variables for your investigation.

The independent variable is the variable that you changed or selected the values for.

Independent variable: the force applied to the spring.

The dependent variable is the variable that is measured for each change of the independent
variable.

Dependent variable: the extension of the spring.

A control variable is one which may, in addition to the independent variable, affect the outcome

of the investigation and therefore must be kept constant.

Control variables:
- use the same spring each time;
- completely unload spring and check it has not been extended beyond its elastic limit;
- make sure the spring is stationary before measuring;
- read the measurement from the same angle;
- measure the same part of the spring each time.

2. Set up your equipment as shown on the method sheet.

3. Measure the length of your spring and record this in the space below.
The start length of the spring is cm.
(This measurement will depend on the spring used.)
4. Carry out your investigation using the method sheet. Record the extension of the spring in
the table below.
extension = length of the extended spring – start length of spring
5. Calculate the mean extension for each force applied to the spring.
Add up the three repeat measurements. Divide the total by 3 to calculate the mean.

Extension (cm)
Force (N)
Repeat 1 Repeat 2 Repeat 3 Mean

5
 Hooke’s Law Investigation Answers

6. Compare the mean extension for 1N and 2N, then compare the mean extension for 2N and
4N.
Complete the sentences to describe what happens to the extension each time the force is
doubled.
When the force is doubled, the extension doubles.

The extension is directly proportional to the force added to the spring.

7. Draw a graph of your results on graph paper.

We can use Hooke’s Law to calculate the spring constant for the spring.
force = spring constant × extension
8. Rearrange the equation to make the spring constant the subject.
force
spring constant =
extension

9. Use the rearranged equation to calculate the spring constant for each of your results and
record in the table below.

Force (N) Mean Extension (cm) Spring Constant (N/cm)

10. Calculate the mean spring constant.

Add up the five calculations of spring constant. Divide the total by five to give the mean.

The spring constant of the spring is N/cm.

(The answers given here will depend on the student’s results.)