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6.10Chapter 6: Forces, Motion and Pressure

Presenting data from springs — Alhussan Physics - Stage 8 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 8 parts Lesson 10 of 19 1 quiz

📚 Alhussan Physics - Stage 8 Hub / Topical Revision
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Lesson summary

Physics 6.10 Presenting data from springs — Hooke's Law and Elastic Limit — Alhussan International Academy — Physics (Stages 7–9) notes: Describe how to record, graph and evaluate a spring-stretching investigation and find the elastic limit.Trampoline springs — A trampoline conta…

  • Categoric variable
  • Line of best fit
  • Anomalous result
  • Reliability
  • Original length
  • Question — How can the elastic limit of a spring be found?

Section 1 of 8Why the elastic limit matters

Trampoline springs
  • A trampoline contains many springs that must stay below their elastic limit at the maximum weight on the label.
Question
  • How can the elastic limit of a spring be found?

Section 2 of 8Method for stretching a spring

1
Measure the length of the spring with no weights on it; this is the original length.
2
Record zero force and zero extension in the table.
3
Add one 1 N weight and measure the new length with a ruler.
4
Subtract the original length from the new length to find the extension and write it in the table.
5
Keep adding weights, measuring each time, until the load reaches 8 N.
6
Repeat the whole experiment and calculate the mean extension for each weight.
Variables
  • Force is the independent variable and extension is the dependent variable.
Control
  • Use the same spring and ruler, and read the ruler at eye level.

Section 3 of 8Recording results in a table

Headings
  • Each column has a heading with the quantity and its unit, such as Force (N), Length (cm) and Extension (cm).
Repeats
  • The table has space for all repeat measurements and the mean.
Categoric variable
  • If a variable is a name, such as colour of spring, the results cannot be shown on a line graph.

Section 4 of 8Drawing the graph

Variables
  • Both weight and extension are continuous variables, so a line graph is plotted.
Axes
  • Weight (force) is on the horizontal axis and mean extension on the vertical axis.
Line of best fit
  • It goes through most points and is a smooth line or curve.
  • It starts at the origin (0, 0), because the extension is zero when the force is zero.
  • The line is straight at first, then curves upwards as the load increases.

Section 5 of 8Hooke's law and the elastic limit

Hooke's law
  • The extension is directly proportional to the force, giving a straight line through the origin.
Elastic limit
  • Beyond this force the graph curves because the extension increases faster than the force.
  • When the force is removed the spring does not return to its original length.
  • If a spring fails to return after a 6 N load, then 6 N is beyond its elastic limit.

Section 6 of 8Anomalous results and reliability

Anomalous result
Anomalous result a result that does not fit the pattern.
  • It is probably caused by a measurement error and should be identified on the graph.
  • It should be repeated or checked.
Reliability
  • Repeating each measurement, for example three times, makes the data more accurate and reliable.
  • A ruler with finer divisions increases precision.
  • Possible errors include a ruler zero that does not match the bottom of the spring and a swinging spring.

Section 7 of 8Key terms

TermMeaning
Hooke's lawExtension is proportional to force, up to the elastic limit.
Elastic limitThe point beyond which a spring does not return to its original length.
Anomalous resultA result that does not fit the pattern of the other results.
Line of best fitA smooth line or curve passing through or near most points.
Original lengthThe length of a spring with no force on it.
ReliableGiving similar results when measurements are repeated.

Section 8 of 8Exam technique

1
Plotting a bar chart for force and extension — both are continuous, so use a line graph.
2
Joining every point with a ruler — draw a smooth line of best fit that passes near most points.
3
Ignoring an anomalous result — it should be identified and checked or repeated.
4
Thinking the spring obeys Hooke's law at any force — only below the elastic limit.

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