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Physics Mr. Niranjan Bose 17 th^ February 2019
Aim : The aim of this experiment is to find whether using different weights to measure a spring’s constant can cause a change to the measured spring constant.
Experiment 1
Variables :
Dependent Variable : the dependent variable is the extension of the spring which can be measured by a ruler. (cm)
Independent Variable : the mass of the weights
Controlled Variable : the amount of weights added to the spring, because the more weights are added then the spring is stretched more. The amount of weights added to the spring is controlled because it is our decision to put the amount of weights in the spring. We chose to increase the weight by 100g to 500g.
Apparatus – clamp stand, small spring, toothpick, ruler, blue tacks, slotted weights
Raw Data Table: Experiment 1 –
Initial length – 0.038m Mass(g) Trial 1(m) Trial 2(m) Trial 3(m) 100 0.076 0.074 0. 200 0.116 0.116 0. 300 0.157 0.158 0. 400 0.199 0.199 0. 500 0.239 0.243 0.
Weight(kg) Extension(m) 0.1 0.075 – 0.038 = 0. 0.2 0.115 – 0.038 = 0. 0.3 0.157 – 0.038 = 0. 0.4 0.195 – 0.038 = 0. 0.5 0.245 – 0.038 = 0. Experiment 2
Variables:
Dependent Variable : the time taken for the 10 oscillations which is measured by a stopwatch.
Independent Variable : the mass of the weights.
Controlled Variables : the amounts of weights added to the spring, because the more weights are added then the spring is stretched more. The amount of weights added to the spring is controlled because it is our decision to put the amount of weights in the spring. We chose to increase the weight by 100g to 500g.
Apparatus – clamp stand, small spring, toothpick, ruler, blue tacks, slotted weights, stopwatch
Raw Data Table: Experiment 2 –
Time taken for 10 oscillations Mass(g) Trial 1(s) Trial 2(s) Trial 3(s) Av. Period(s) 100 4.66 3.97 4.22 4. 200 5.51 5.23 5.47 5. 300 6.60 6.20 6.13 6. 400 8.12 8.19 8.03 8. 500 8.92 9.11 8.97 9.
Processed Data Table – Experiment 1
Weight(kg) Extension(m) 0.1 0.075 – 0.038 = 0. 0.2 0.115 – 0.038 = 0. 0.3 0.157 – 0.038 = 0. 0.4 0.195 – 0.038 = 0. 0.5 0.245 – 0.038 = 0.
k = spring constant m = mass g = 9. x = extension
Weight(kg) K
Weight(kg) Extension(m) 0.1 0. 0.2 0. 0.3 0. 0.4 0. 0.5 0.
Graphs:
Experiment 1:
Experiment 2:
Conclusion: Using the formula k = mg/x, my average spring constant for the spring was 24.86, when using the formula , my average spring value for k was 25.34. From the graphs, we can notice that both of the graph does not go through the origin as it should, due to the spring being stretched beyond its limit. Thus, my calculations for the spring constant were probably inaccurate despite the fact that my percentage error was very small. My graph for experiment 1 was the closest to the origin, while my graph for experiment 2 was further than experiment 1.
Evaluation of Experimental Design and procedure:
Percentage error taking the calculated value of k from experiment 1
My percentage error is negative due to the value of k for experiment 1 is smaller than the value of k for experiment 2, therefore it can be assumed that my readings were not accurate.
Random Error: For each experiment, the extension was measured with a see-through ruler, which was held in Place with blue tacks on the clamp stand. However, despite the ruler being held steady there were still some error due to reading the measurements. For example, I may not have seen the measurement correctly due to our eye sight. I may have seen the wrong measurement due to my eye level not being able to mark the correct value. These mistakes can affect my value of K. In addition, the stopwatch could have been the source of another error due to human reaction time. The stopwatch may be started early or late and thus affected the time period and resulting our value for k being wrong. In addition, the clamp stand may have been shaky due to the clamp not screwed properly, which could have impacted value of k.
Systematic Error: There were a lot of pieces of equipment used for this experiment and these tools can be the source of errors, such as a balance not set to 0, the stopwatch timing incorrectly, or measuring
