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Sarthak S Physics Project

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24 views15 pages

Sarthak S Physics Project

Uploaded by

sarthaksjadhav1n
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Study of the Spring Constant

of a Helical Spring from its


Load-Extension Graph

Contents
1.Introduction
2.Theory
3.Equipment Required
4.Experimental Procedure
5.Data Collection
6.Data Analysis
7.Results
8.Discussion
9.Conclusion
10.References
1.Introduction
A helical spring is a mechanical component
characterized by its coiled structure, allowing
it to store and release energy. Springs are
widely used in various applications, including
automotive suspensions, industrial machinery,
and everyday items like pens. Understanding
the mechanical properties of springs,
particularly the spring constant (kkk), is crucial
for engineers and physicists. The spring
constant quantifies the stiffness of a spring,
defining how much it will stretch or compress
under a given load.
In this experiment, we aim to determine the
spring constant of a helical spring by analyzing
its load-extension graph. By systematically
applying known weights and measuring the
resulting extensions, we can explore the
relationship between the force applied to the
spring and the extension it undergoes.
2.Theory
Hooke's Law
Hooke's Law states that the force (FFF)
exerted by a spring is directly proportional to
its extension (xxx) within the elastic limit of
the material. Mathematically, it is represented
as:
F=kx
where:
 F = force applied (in Newtons)
 k= spring constant (in N/m)
 x = extension (in meters)

Elastic vs. Plastic Deformation


When a spring is subjected to force, it can
either deform elastically or plastically. Elastic
deformation is temporary, allowing the spring
to return to its original shape when the force
is removed. Plastic deformation occurs when
the force exceeds a certain threshold, leading
to permanent changes in the spring's
dimensions.
Factors Affecting the Spring Constant
The spring constant depends on several
factors:
 Material: Different materials have varying
elastic properties.
 Diameter of the wire: Thicker wires
typically yield higher spring constants.
 Number of coils: More coils usually lead
to a lower spring constant.
 Coil diameter: A larger diameter can
result in a softer spring

3.Equipment Required
To conduct this experiment, the following
equipment is necessary:
 Helical spring
 Weights (various known masses)
 Ruler or measuring tape
 Stand and clamp
 Force gauge (optional for more precision)
 Graph paper or software for plotting data

4. Experimental Procedure
1.Suspend the spring from a rigid support and
attach the pointer and the hook from its lower
free end.
2.Hang a 50 g hanger from the hook
3.Arrange the vertical wooden scale such that
the tip of the pointer comes over the divisions
on the scale but does not touch the scale.
4.Note the reading on the scale and record it
in the loading column against the zero loads.
5.Gently add a suitable load of 50 g or 20 g of
slotted weight to the hanger. The tip of the
pointer moves down.
6.Wait for some time till the pointer comes to
rest. Repeat step 4.
7.Repeat steps 5 and 6 till six slots have been
added.
8.Remove one slotted weight. The pointer
moves up. Repeat step 6 and record the
reading in the unloading column.
9.Repeat step 8 till the only hanger is left.
10.Record your observation as given below in
the table.
5. Data Collection
Data Table
Load in g wt Extension (cm)
0 0
50 0.5
100 1
150 1.5
200 2
250 2.5
300 3
6. Data Analysis
Plotting the Graph
Using the collected data, plot the load (force)
on the y-axis against the extension on the x-
axis. The resulting graph will help visualize the
relationship between force and extension.
Calculating the Spring Constant
To determine the spring constant k:
1.Identify the linear region of the graph
where Hooke’s Law applies.
2.Calculate the slope of the line, which
represents k.
k=ΔF/Δx
where ΔF is the change in force and Δx is the
corresponding change in extension.
Identifying Regions
Look for the yield point and any non-linear
behavior in the graph to understand the limits
of elastic deformation
7. Results
Interpreting the Graph
Describe the characteristics of the graph
obtained, focusing on:
 The linear region: slope indicates k.
 Any deviations from linearity that may
indicate plastic deformation.
Calculating k
Provide a sample calculation for the spring
constant based on the slope derived from the
graph.
From the graph, it is seen that a change
of F from B to C, produces a change
of l from B to D. In other words, 250 g of
weight produces a 2.5 cm extension. From
this given data, the spring constant can be
calculated as follows:
K=F/l=BC/AC
K=250/2.5=100g wt per cm
8. Discussion.

Factors Affecting Results


Environmental factors (e.g., temperature) and
measurement errors (e.g., parallax errors)
that could influence the results.

9. Conclusion
In this experiment, we determined the spring
constant of a helical spring through systematic
measurement of load and extension. The
calculated spring constant, k=100g wt per cm
indicates a relatively stiff spring. The
experiment reinforced the principles of
Hooke's Law and highlighted the importance
of precise measurements in mechanical
systems. Future studies could involve different
materials or configurations to explore
variations in spring constants.

10. References
1.BYJUS
2.HyperPhysics. (n.d.). Hooke’s Law. Retrieved
from HyperPhysics
3.Wikipedia
4.KhanAcademy
5.ChatGpt

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