A spring was stretched with increasing load.
The graph of the results is shown below.
Determine the value of the spring constant.
Answer:
Step 1: Rearrange Hooke's Law:
Step 2: Relate the gradient of this graph to k :
- The y axis of this graph is length L and the x axis is load F
- Gradient is change in y over change in x:
- The change in length is the extension x
- Therefore:
Step 3: Determine the gradient of the graph:
- Choose a large section of the graph line to determine the changes in the x and y axes
- Convert the extension from cm to m
Step 4: Calculate the spring constant: