Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson
Date Experiment Performed: September 23, 2011

Page 1 of 13

Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

Procedure
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate Hookes Law. The primary task was to determine the spring constants (k) for two different springs and a rubber band. This was accomplished by stretching the springs and the rubber band, while measuring both the distance elongated and the force required to extend each object. From this data, the elastic potential energies and the spring constants were calculated. The results from the tests on springs were then compared to the results from the tests on the rubber band.

Equipment List
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 500-gram Spring Scale 1.5 meter Plastic Tape Measure from the LabPaq Kit 3.0 cm Spring from the LabPaq Kit 0.7 cm Spring from the LabPaq Kit 6.0 cm Rubber Band 2.0 cm Rubber Band Roll of Transparent Adhesive Tape Small Metal Paper Clip Desktop Computer with Microsoft Excel Software Installed

NOTE: All measurements on the springs in this experiment were taken from the upper and lower edges of the springs, and excluded the lengths of the hanging hooks built into the springs. NOTE: The two springs from the LabPaq kit and the two rubber bands used were measured with the tape measure at the beginning of this experiment and their lengths were recorded in the above Equipment List and in the appropriate Data Tables.

First Round of Tests Setup

The following chart was prepared to collect data from the first round of this experiment: Data Table #1 3.0 cm Spring
Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10
Force (Newtons)

Position of Spring (cm) Top 0.0 Bottom 3.0

Elongation of Spring (cm)

Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

Accumulated Elongation (m)

y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

0.00

0.0

x = cm / 100 0.00

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Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

A stretch test as described in the lab manual was performed on the 3.0 cm spring. The spring was grasped at both ends and pulled apart with moderate force such that it was extended as far as possible without causing permanent deformation. By holding the extended spring next to the tape measure, it was determined that it could safely be elongated to a total length of slightly more than 13 centimeters, or 10 centimeters longer than its relaxed length. Based on this result, it was decided to divide the following stretch tests into ten equal increments of 1.0 centimeter each. The 500-gram spring scale was hung on a bare wall at approximately eye level. The 3.0 cm spring was hung from the metal hook on the spring scale. The 1.5-meter plastic tape measure was taped to the wall such that its zero centimeter mark was aligned as closely as possible with the upper edge of the 3.0 cm spring hanging from the spring scale. The small metal paper clip was hung from the lower hook of the spring.

Process
The paper clip was grasped and pulled downward while the distance between the upper and lower edges of the spring was monitored using the tape measure. When the length of the spring had been increased by one test increment of one centimeter from its starting point of 3.0 centimeters, the positions of the springs upper and lower edges relative to the tape measure were carefully noted and recorded in centimeters in the appropriate boxes of the data table. A force reading in Newtons was also taken from the spring scale and recorded in the data table. The process in the preceding paragraph was repeated nine more times, each time extending the total length of the spring by one additional test increment of 1.0 centimeter. In each case, readings were taken from the tape measure and the spring scale and recorded in the data table. On the tenth test, the reading on the spring scale exceeded the spring scales total capacity of 5.00 Newtons. For this reason, the results of this particular test were discarded.

Second Round of Tests Setup

The following chart was prepared to collect data from the second round of this experiment: Data Table #2 0.7 cm Spring
Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10
Force (Newtons)

Position of Spring (cm) Top 0.0 Bottom 0.7

Elongation of Spring (cm)

Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

y = F = kx; Accumulated Elongation (m) k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = x = cm / 100 k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000 0.000

0.00

0.0

A stretch test as described in the lab manual was performed on the 0.7 cm spring. The spring was grasped at both ends and pulled apart with moderate force such that it was extended as far as possible without causing permanent distortion. By holding the extended spring next to the tape measure, it was determined that it could safely be elongated to a total length of slightly more than 9 centimeters, Page 3 of 13

Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

or about 8 centimeters longer than its relaxed length. Based on this result, it was decided to divide the following stretch tests into ten equal increments of 0.8 centimeter each. The 0.7 cm spring was hung from the metal hook on the spring scale. The position of the 1.5meter plastic tape measure was adjusted such that its zero centimeter mark was aligned as closely as possible with the upper edge of the 0.7 cm spring hanging from the spring scale. The small metal paper clip was hung from the lower hook of the spring.

Process
The paper clip was grasped and pulled downward while the distance between the upper and lower edges of the spring was monitored using the tape measure. When the length of the spring had been increased by one test increment of 0.8 centimeters from its starting point of 0.7 centimeters, the positions of the springs upper and lower edges relative to the tape measure were carefully noted and recorded in centimeters in the appropriate boxes of the data table. A force reading in Newtons was also taken from the spring scale and recorded in the data table. The process in the preceding paragraph was repeated nine more times, each time extending the total length of the spring by one additional test increment of 0.8 centimeters. In each case, readings were taken from the tape measure and the spring scale and recorded in the data table.

Third Round of Tests Setup

The following chart was prepared to collect data from the third round of this experiment: Data Table #3
7.0 cm Force Rubber Band (Newtons) 0.00 Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 Position of Elongation of Rubber Band (cm) Rubber Band (cm) Top 0.0 Bottom 7.0
Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length Accumulated Elongation (m)

y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

0.0

x = cm / 100 0.000

A stretch test as described in the lab manual was performed on the 7.0 cm rubber band. The rubber band was grasped at both ends and pulled apart with moderate force such that it was extended as far as possible without causing permanent distortion. By holding the extended rubber band next to the tape measure, it was determined that it could safely be elongated to a total length of slightly more than 27 centimeters, or about 20 centimeters longer than its relaxed length. Based on this result, it was decided to divide the following stretch tests into ten equal increments of 2.0 centimeters each. The 7.0 cm rubber band was hung from the metal hook on the spring scale. The position of the 1.5-meter plastic tape measure was adjusted such that its zero centimeter mark was aligned as closely as possible with the upper edge of the 7.0 cm rubber band hanging from the spring scale. The small metal paper clip was hung from the lower part of the rubber band.

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Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

Process
The paper clip was grasped and pulled downward while the distance between the upper and lower edges of the rubber band was monitored using the tape measure. When the length of the rubber band had been increased by one test increment of 2.0 centimeters from its starting point of 7.0 centimeters, the positions of the rubber bands upper and lower edges relative to the tape measure were carefully noted and recorded in centimeters in the appropriate boxes of the data table. A force reading in Newtons was also taken from the spring scale and recorded in the data table. The process in the preceding paragraph was repeated nine more times, each time extending the total length of the rubber band by one additional test increment of 2.0 centimeters. In each case, readings were taken from the tape measure and the spring scale and recorded in the data table. On tests nine and ten, the readings on the spring scale exceeded the scales total capacity of 5.00 Newtons. For this reason, the results of these two tests were discarded.

Fourth Round of Tests

NOTE: This was an extra round of tests not required by the lab manual instructions.

Setup
The following chart was prepared to collect data from the fourth round of this experiment: Data Table #4
2.0 cm Force Rubber Band (Newtons) 0.00 Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 Position of Elongation of Rubber Band (cm) Rubber Band (cm) Top 0.0 Bottom 2.0
Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length Accumulated Elongation (m)

y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

0.0

x = cm / 100 0.000

A stretch test as described in the lab manual was performed on the 2.0 cm rubber band. The rubber band was grasped at both ends and pulled apart with moderate force such that it was extended as far as possible without causing permanent distortion. By holding the extended rubber band up to the tape measure, it was determined that it could safely be elongated to a total length of slightly more than 12 centimeters, or about 10 centimeters longer than its relaxed length. Based on this result, it was decided to divide the following stretch tests into ten equal increments of 1.0 centimeter each. The 2.0 cm rubber band was hung from the metal hook on the spring scale. The position of the 1.5-meter plastic tape measure was adjusted such that its zero centimeter mark was aligned as closely as possible with the upper edge of the 2.0 cm rubber band hanging from the spring scale. The small metal paper clip was hung from the lower part of the rubber band.

Process
The paper clip was grasped and pulled downward while the distance between the upper and lower edges of the rubber band was monitored using the tape measure. When the length of the spring had Page 5 of 13

Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

been increased by one test increment of 1.0 centimeters from its starting point of 2.0 centimeters, the positions of the rubber bands upper and lower edges relative to the tape measure were carefully noted and recorded in centimeters in the appropriate boxes of the data table. A force reading in Newtons was also taken from the spring scale and recorded in the data table. The process in the preceding paragraph was repeated nine more times, each time extending the total length of the rubber band by one additional test increment of 1.0 centimeters. In each case, readings were taken from the tape measure and the spring scale and recorded in the data table. For tests eight through ten, the readings on the spring scale exceeded the scales total capacity of 5.00 Newtons. For this reason, the results of these three tests were discarded.

Fifth Round of Tests

NOTE: This was an optional round of tests suggested in the lab manual instructions.

Setup
The following chart was prepared to collect data from the fifth round of this experiment: Data Table #5 Scale Hook Spring Force Spring Scale Scale (Newtons) Hook Bottom (cm)
Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 0.00 0.0 Position of Accumulated Elongation (m) x = cm / 100 0.000 y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

All items were removed from the metal hook on the spring scale. A stretch test as described in the lab manual was performed on the spring scale. The metal hook hanging from the lower portion of the spring scale was grasped and pulled downward until the dial registered a measurement of 5.0 Newtons. It was noted that the position of the lower part of the metal hook on the spring scale was at 2.5 centimeters. A decision was made that it would be impractical to attempt to divide this small a measurement into ten equal increments of 0.25 centimeters. A visual inspection of the spring scale revealed that the dial on the scale is divided into ten equal divisions of 0.5 Newtons each. Based on this observation, it was decided to divide the following stretch tests into ten equal increments of approximately 0.5 Newtons each. The position of the 1.5-meter plastic tape measure was adjusted such that its zero centimeter mark was aligned as closely as possible with the lower edge of the metal hook on the spring scale. The small metal paper clip was hung from the metal hook on the spring scale.

Process
The paper clip hanging from the metal hook on the spring scale was grasped and pulled downward while the reading on the spring scale was carefully monitored until the dial registered 0.5 Newtons. The travel distance in centimeters of the lower part of the metal hook on the spring scale was Page 6 of 13

Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

carefully noted and recorded in the data table. The force reading in Newtons was also taken from the spring scale and recorded in the data table. The process in the preceding paragraph was repeated nine more times, each time advancing the reading on the spring scale by one test increment of 0.5 Newtons. In each case, readings were taken from the tape measure and the spring scale and recorded in the data table.

Data
Data Tables With Experimental Data and Measurements Added
Data Table #1 3.0 cm Spring
Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10
Force (Newtons)

Position of Spring (cm) Top 0.0 0.5 0.7 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 Bottom 3.0 4.5 5.7 7.0 8.3 9.6 10.8 12.1 13.4 14.6 Position of Spring (cm) Top 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 Bottom 0.7 1.8 2.7 3.7 4.7 5.7 6.7 7.7 8.7 9.7 10.7

Elongation of Spring (cm)

Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

Accumulated Elongation (m)

y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

0.00 0.85 1.40 1.85 2.40 2.90 3.35 3.85 4.35 4.85 >5.00

0.0

x = cm / 100 0.00

Data Table #2 0.7 cm Spring

Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10
Force (Newtons)

Elongation of Spring (cm)

Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

y = F = kx; Accumulated Elongation (m) k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = x = cm / 100 k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000 0.000

0.00 0.45 0.75 1.05 1.35 1.65 1.95 2.25 2.60 2.90 3.20

0.0

Data Table #3
7.0 cm Force Rubber Band (Newtons) 0.00 Starting 1.10 Data Point 1

Position of Elongation of Rubber Band (cm) Rubber Band (cm) Top 0.0 0.4 Bottom 7.0 9.4
Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

Accumulated Elongation (m)

y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

0.0

x = cm / 100 0.000

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Lab 6: Hookes Law Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 1.70 2.30 2.80 3.25 3.70 4.20 4.70 >5.00 >5.00 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.4 11.6 14.0 16.4 18.6 20.8 23.0 25.4 -

Student: Dennis Enderson

Data Table #4
2.0 cm Force Rubber Band (Newtons) 0.00 Starting 0.75 Data Point 1 1.25 Data Point 2 1.75 Data Point 3 2.15 Data Point 4 2.70 Data Point 5 3.20 Data Point 6 4.65 Data Point 7 >5.00 Data Point 8 >5.00 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 >5.00

Position of Elongation of Rubber Band (cm) Rubber Band (cm) Top 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.9 1.1 1.4 2.5 Bottom 2.0 3.2 4.4 5.6 6.9 8.1 9.4 11.5 Position of
Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

Accumulated Elongation (m)

y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

0.0

x = cm / 100 0.000

Data Table #5 Scale Hook Spring Force Spring Scale Scale (Newtons) Hook Bottom (cm)
Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.5

Accumulated Elongation (m) x = cm / 100 0.000

y = F = kx; k = F/x = k N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000

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Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

Analysis
Data Tables With Calculated Values Included
Data Table #1 3.0 cm Spring
Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10
Force (Newtons)

Position of Spring (cm) Top 0.0 0.5 0.7 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 Bottom 3.0 4.5 5.7 7.0 8.3 9.6 10.8 12.1 13.4 14.6 -

Elongation of Spring (cm)

y = F = 55.72x; Accumulated Elongation (m) k = F/x = 55.72 N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000 0.003 0.011 0.025 0.045 0.070 0.100 0.137 0.178 0.226 y = F = 36.05x; k = F/x = 36.05 N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000 0.001 0.005 0.010 0.018 0.029 0.042 0.057 0.074 0.093 0.115

Bottom Reading Top Reading x = cm / 100 Initial Length

0.00 0.85 1.40 1.85 2.40 2.90 3.35 3.85 4.35 4.85 >5.00

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 Elongation of Spring (cm)
Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 Accumulated Elongation (m)

Data Table #2 0.7 cm Spring

Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10

Position of Spring (cm) Bottom 0.7 1.8 2.7 3.7 4.7 5.7 6.7 7.7 8.7 9.7 10.7

Force (Newtons) Top

0.00 0.45 0.75 1.05 1.35 1.65 1.95 2.25 2.60 2.90 3.20

0.0 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0

0.0 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.2 4.0 4.8 5.6 6.4 7.2 8.0

x = cm / 100 0.000 0.008 0.016 0.024 0.032 0.040 0.048 0.056 0.064 0.072 0.080

Data Table #3
7.0 cm Force Rubber Band (Newtons) 0.00 Starting 1.10 Data Point 1 1.70 Data Point 2 2.30 Data Point 3 2.80 Data Point 4 3.25 Data Point 5 3.70 Data Point 6 4.20 Data Point 7

Position of Elongation of y = F = 28.91x; Accumulated Rubber Band (cm) Rubber Band (cm) Elongation (m) k = F/x = 28.91 N/m Top 0.0 0.4 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 Bottom 7.0 9.4 11.6 14.0 16.4 18.6 20.8 23.0
Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

0.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 9.0 11.0 13.0 15.0

x = cm / 100 0.000 0.030 0.050 0.070 0.090 0.110 0.130 0.150

Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000 0.013 0.036 0.071 0.117 0.175 0.244 0.325

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Lab 6: Hookes Law Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 4.70 >5.00 >5.00 2.4 25.4 17.0 0.170 -

Student: Dennis Enderson 0.418 -

Data Table #4
2.0 cm Force Rubber Band (Newtons) 0.00 Starting 0.75 Data Point 1 1.25 Data Point 2 1.75 Data Point 3 2.15 Data Point 4 2.70 Data Point 5 3.20 Data Point 6 4.65 Data Point 7 >5.00 Data Point 8 >5.00 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 >5.00

Position of Elongation of y = F = 55.64x; Accumulated Rubber Band (cm) Rubber Band (cm) Elongation (m) k = F/x = 55.64 N/m Top 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.9 1.1 1.4 2.5 Bottom 2.0 3.2 4.4 5.6 6.9 8.1 9.4 11.5 Position of
Bottom Reading Top Reading Initial Length

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 -

x = cm / 100 0.000 0.010 0.020 0.030 0.040 0.050 0.060 0.070 -

Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000 0.003 0.011 0.025 0.045 0.070 0.100 0.136 -

Data Table #5 Scale Hook Spring Force Spring Scale Scale (Newtons) Hook Bottom (cm)
Starting Data Point 1 Data Point 2 Data Point 3 Data Point 4 Data Point 5 Data Point 6 Data Point 7 Data Point 8 Data Point 9 Data Point 10 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.5

Accumulated Elongation (m) x = cm / 100 0.000 0.003 0.005 0.008 0.010 0.013 0.015 0.018 0.020 0.023 0.025

y = F = 200x; k = F/x = 200 N/m Elastic PE = k(x)2 (Joules) 0.000 0.001 0.003 0.006 0.010 0.016 0.023 0.031 0.040 0.051 0.063

Additional Calculations (From the Lab Manual)

1. For each data row in each of your tables calculate: Elastic PE = kx2. This information is included in the preceding data tables, and was calculated after deriving k from the slopes of the graphs which appear later in this report. 2. For each spring and the rubber band, plot the accumulated elongation (x-axis) versus the applied force (y-axis) on a computer spreadsheet. The following graphs were created using Microsoft Excel and the information contained in the appropriate data tables as indicated:

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Lab 6: Hookes Law

3.0 cm Spring (Data Table 1) Accumulated Elongation vs. Applied Force

Student: Dennis Enderson

6.00 Applied Force (Newtons) 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 Accumulated Elongation (Meters)

y = 55.72x

0.7 cm Spring (Data Table 2) Accumulated Elongation vs. Applied Force

3.50 Applied Force (Newtons) 3.00 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 0.000 y = 36.05x

0.020

0.040

0.060

0.080

0.100

Accum ulated Elongation (Meters)

7.0 cm Rubber Band (Data Table 3) Accum ulated Elongation vs. Applied Force 6.00 Applied Force (Newtons) 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 0.000 y = 28.91x

0.050

0.100

0.150

0.200

Accum ulated Elongation (Meters)

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Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

2.0 cm Rubber Band (Data Table 4) Accumulated Elongation versus Applied Force
5.00 4.50 Applied Force (Newtons) 4.00 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 0.000 0.010 0.020 0.030 0.040 0.050 0.060 0.070 0.080 Accumulated Elongation (Meters)

y = 55.64x

Spring Scale By Itself (Data Table 5) Accumulated Elongation versus Applied Force

6.00 Applied Force (Newtons) 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.025 0.030 Accumulated Elongation (Meters)

y = 200x

3. Find the spring constant for the springs in Newtons per meter from the slope of each graph. (Refer to the Excel tutorial in the Introduction section). Spring constant, k = F/x, where F is in Newtons and x is in meters. Therefore, the units are N/m. The preceding graphs created in Microsoft Excel were used to calculate these values, which were added to the preceding data tables. For each graph, a trend line was added and the corresponding linear equation was displayed. These equations were used to derive the slopes of each graph. In each case, the coefficient of x represents the slope of the graph, which is the spring constant (k) for each object tested. Page 12 of 13

Lab 6: Hookes Law

Student: Dennis Enderson

4. Find the spring constant for the rubber band from the slope of the curve using the linear portion of the graph. The spring constants for both rubber bands were calculated and added to the appropriate data tables. Stretching the 7.0 cm rubber band exceeded the spring scales 5.0 Newton capacity prior to surpassing the linear portion of its graph, so a second, 2.0 cm rubber band was also tested. While stretching this rubber band also exceeded the spring scales 5.0 Newton capacity, it did generate some non-linear data points. The slope of just the linear portion of this graph was used to find the spring constant for the 2.0 cm rubber band.

Conclusions
Questions (From the Lab Manual):
A. How does the relative stiffness of a spring relate to its spring constant? The evidence collected during this experiment reveals that the stiffer 3.0 cm spring yielded a greater spring constant than the more pliable 0.7 cm spring. Assuming this trend holds constant, stiffer springs would normally yield higher spring constants, and thus attain a higher elastic potential energy level when elongated. B. How does PE change relative to the stretch of the spring? The data collected indicate that Elastic Potential Energy increases as a spring is stretched, and decreases when it is allowed to relax towards its resting condition. In this experiment, only the elongation of springs was tested, but it is reasonable to conclude that a similar result would be obtained by the compression of springs as well. C. Indicate on your graph for the rubber band where the linear behavior stops. What does this mean? On the graph for the 2.0 cm rubber band from Data Table 4, it appears that linear behavior ceased when the amount of force exceeded 3.2 Newtons and the amount of elongation exceeded 0.06 meters. It was at this point that the rubber band approached the upper limit of its elasticity (its elastic limit) and required a greater amount of force to stretch it any farther. While the 5.0 Newton capacity of the spring scale was surpassed prior to completing this round of tests, it was clear that the rubber band was nearing its breaking point when this occurred. D. Which is stronger in the region where Hookes law is obeyed, the spring or the rubber band? Explain. The Spring Constant, k, which carries units of Newtons per Meter, indicates the amount of force in Newtons required to elongate an object by a certain distance in meters. Therefore, a higher k value indicates a greater elastic strength. Looking at the k values from this experiment reveals that both springs are stronger than the 7.0 cm rubber band, whereas the 2.0 cm rubber band is stronger than the 0.7 cm spring and essentially equal in strength to the 3.0 cm spring. The spring scale by itself is the strongest object tested in this experiment. E. Explain what happens to the spring constant of the rubber band for the nonlinear part of your curve. The spring constant of the rubber band for the nonlinear part of the graphs curve is no longer constant, and its value increases dramatically as the rubber band approaches and exceeds its elastic limit. At this point, the rubber band strongly resists any further stretching and begins to lose structural integrity. Page 13 of 13