PASCO ME-9866 Demonstration Spring Set - Manual (Page 5)

®
Model No. ME-9866 Demonstration Spring Set
5
3. Measure the distance from the bottom of the spring to the tabletop
or floor.
4. Subtract the "initial distance" from the new distance to calculate
the stretch of the spring. Record this value in a data table.
5. Place more mass on the spring and repeat measurements/
calculations.
6. Collect at least six pairs of hanging mass and stretch data.
7. Convert the hanging masses to force using the acceleration due to
gravity:
8. Create a graph with force on the vertical axis and stretch on the
horizontal axis.
9. Using y = mx + b, write an equation for each of the lines. Make
sure to include appropriate variables, numbers, and units in the
equation.
10. The slope of the Force vs. Stretch graph in known as the spring
constant or rate. The vertical intercept represents the amount of
force needed to begin stretching the spring and is also known as
the initial tension.
Conservation of Energy
1. Determine the spring constant of the strongest spring.
9.81
m
s
2
-----