Investigating Force & Extension (Cambridge O Level Physics)

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Investigating Springs

  • When forces are applied to materials, the size and shape of the material can change
  • The method below describes a typical procedure for carrying out an investigation into the properties of a material

Experimental Set-Up to Measure the Extension of a Spring

Extension worked example, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

To measure the extension of a spring, masses are hung from the spring and the extension of the spring is measured with a ruler

  • Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram
  • A single mass (0.1 kg, 100g) is attached to the spring, with a pointer attached to the bottom, and the position of the spring is measured against the ruler
  • The mass (in kg) and position (in cm) are recorded in a table
  • A further mass is added and the new position measured
  • The above process continues until a total of 7 masses have been added
  • The masses are then removed and the entire process repeated again, until it has been carried out a total of three times, and averages can then be taken

  • Once measurements have been taken:
    • The force on the spring can be found by multiplying the mass on the spring (in kg) by 9.81 N/kg (the gravitational field strength)
    • The extension of the spring can be found by subtracting the original position of the spring from each of the subsequent positions

  • Finally, a graph of extension (on the y-axis) against force (on the x-axis) should be plotted

Force-Extension Graph

Hooke's-law-graph, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

A graph of force against extension for a metal spring

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Leander

Author: Leander

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Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from Sheffield Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach their potential to her work at SME.