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Purpose
To use a simulation of masses and springs to determine force constants, a mass value, and the
gravitational acceleration of an unknown planet
Apparatus
Computer, PhET simulation: Masses and Springs (available at http://phet.colorado.edu)
Introduction
Seventeenthcentury English scientist Robert Hooke is credited with the discovery that the force
exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the length it is stretched or compressed. This
simulation has been programmed to obey Hookes law. It will allow you to practice good lab
technique to solve a few simple puzzles.
Procedure
Notes: Observations and answers to questions go in the Discussion section of your lab report.
Data tables should be recreated in the Data section.
SETUP
Step 1: Start the computer and let it complete its startup process.
Step 2: Open the PhET simulation, Masses and Springs, available at
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/mass-spring-lab .
Step 3: When the simulation opens, the screen should resemble the figure below.
Step 4: If it has not already been done, select Earth in the onscreen control panel.
Step 5: Click and drag to move the onscreen horizontal dashed line so that it is aligned with the
bottom of the three springs.
Step 6: Click and drag to move the onscreen ruler so that its top (0 cm) is aligned with the
dashed line.
Step 7: Click and drag to attach a 100gram hooked mass to Spring 1. Determine the load force
(F) of the 100gram mass by converting grams to kilograms, then using F = mg.
Step 8: Carefully record the amount of stretch (x) that the spring experiences when loaded with
the 100gram mass. Convert the amount of stretch from centimeters to meters before recording
it in the data table.
Step 9: Rearrange Hookes Law, F = kx, solving for k. Then determine the force constant (k) of
Spring 1 using the force from Step 7 and the stretch from Step 8.
Data Table 1
Force (N) Stretch (m) k (N/m)
0.981 0.105 9.343
Therefore, Mg = kx
M=
Step 2: Record the data and any calculations needed to determine the mass of the red cylinder.
Organize your data neatly and show calculations completely.
..
M= .
M = 0.295 kg or 295g
Step 3: Record the mass of the red cylinder with your data from step 2.
Force (N) Stretch (m) k (N/m) Mass(g)
0.310 9.343 295
Suppose you were going to travel from Earth to Planet X. You can take Spring 1 and the gold
cylinder with you on your voyage.
Step 1: Describe a method to determine the gravitational acceleration on Planet X using Spring
1 and the gold cylinder. You may conduct experiments on both worlds, and you may use
knowledge gained in previous steps. But you may not use any other masses or springs.
First, we must determine the mass of the cylinder on earth using the relation
M=
Mass is the same everywhere, so the mass of the cylinder will be 152.38g on planet X
We change the planet from earth to planet X. and measure the extension of the spring.
X = 0.065m on planet X
Step 2: Record the data and any calculations needed to determine the gravitational acceleration
on Planet X. Organize your data neatly and show calculations completely.
..
M=
.
= 152.38g
Step 3: Record the gravitational acceleration of Planet X with your data from step 2.
..
G on x = .
= 3.986
Return to Earth (via the onscreen planet selection). Notice that there is an onscreen slide
switch that can be used to adjust the force constant of Spring 3.
Step 1: Describe a method to determine the lowest and highest force constant values that
Spring 3 can be set to.
To determine the highest and lowest force constants, we use the on screen slider for
hardness and softness. We evaluated the extension at each extreme end and this will
provide us with an indication of the force constants.
Step 2: Record the data and any calculations needed to determine the extreme force constant
values of Spring 3. Organize your data neatly and show calculations completely.
Using a mass of 250g, the force derived is 2.4525N
If we set the slider to hard, the extension is;
X = 0.05 m
K-high = 2.4525/0.05
= 49.05N/m
X= 0.50m
K-lowest = 2.4525/0.5
= 4.905N/m
Step 3: Record the lowest Spring 3 force constant value, kL, with your data from step 2.
K-lowest = 2.4525/0.5
= 4.905N/m
Step 4: Record the highest Spring 3 force constant value, kH, with your data from step 2.
= 49.05N/m
Adapted from a lab in the Conceptual Physic Lab Manual, by P. Hewitt and D. Baird.