Hooke's Law

Principle

The students should verify the declaration of Hooke's Law, i.e. the proportionality of force and extension within the elasticity range of an elastic body, with measurements on 2 helical springs having different spring constants. These springs will be weighed down with mass pieces, whose weight (force) causes a deformation.

The students should be familiar with the connection between masses and weight (force) from Experiment ME 2.3. As an approximation, F_g?m should be considered equal to 0.01 N?g.

In a supplementary problem the spring constants should be determined from the graph and these results should be compared with the nominal values for the springs. 

The term "(slotted) weight" is incorrect inasmuch as we are dealing with a mass which becomes a weight (in reality "a weight-force") under the influence of the earth's gravity. The term "mass piece" used here is better.

Task

Can forces deform solid bodies?

In this experiment the deformation which is caused by the weight of "mass pieces" on two helical springs is measured. The deformation is a characteristic feature of each spring, nevertheless one can observe that a fundamental law is ruling here. It is the goal of this experiment to verify this law - Hooke's Law.

Literature for this article als follows

back to corresponding listview