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PHYSICS · MECHANICS
Hooke’s Law
Apply a force to a spring and investigate how its extension depends on the force and the spring constant.
1. Experiment controls
\(F = kx\)
F = applied force, k = spring constant, and x = extension from the spring’s natural length.
2. Spring model
Extension (x)0.200 m
Extension in cm20.0 cm
Spring constant (k)25 N/m
Spring force (kx)5.0 N
3. Force versus extension
The straight line shows the predicted relationship for an ideal spring. The marker represents your current settings.
4. Procedure
- Choose a spring constant using the slider.
- Increase the applied force in small steps.
- Record the extension for each force.
- Repeat with a different spring constant.
- Compare the graph gradients and observations.
5. What to investigate
- What happens to extension when force doubles?
- Which spring stretches more under the same force?
- What does the graph’s gradient represent?
In this ideal model, the spring obeys Hooke’s law throughout the displayed range. Real springs can stop behaving linearly if stretched too far.
6. Observation table
| # | Force (N) | Spring constant (N/m) | Extension (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change the controls and select “Record observation”. | |||