E205: HOOKES LAW

POLICIOUS, Mark Angelo F.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to study,
analyze and portrays the elastic property of then
spring. Hookes law takes a major part in the
experiment along with work done. But then what
is Hookes law? It is a principle that states in able
to stretch or compress a string by some distance
a force is required and that force is proportional
to the distance it gains or losses. It is given by
the formula.
.
Additional, in this experiment clarification
between the relationship of the force towards to
the amount of stretches or distance as well as
the similarity of calculated work done with the
spring to the area of (F vs. x graph) can be
explain and the determination of the force
constant of the spring also the work done can be
obtained.
In addition, elasticity is also present in this
experiment as the spring stretches elasticity
takes place. In definition, elasticity is the ability
of an object to return to its original shape, length
or size. Stretching much can diminish elasticity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In order to meet our objectives and to perform
the experiment, these are following needed and
applicable equipments:

Hookes Law Apparatus (manufactured by

PASCO scientific and composed of rod,
arm, notch, clam and transparent scale
plate)
4 N/m spring
8 N/m Spring
1 pc of Mass hanger (Manufactured by
PASCO scientific)
Mass loads (Manufactured by PASCO
scientific)

A. Setting-up the apparatus

Figure 1. Experiment Set up

First, the spring hung from the notch located in
the support arm of the Hookes law apparatus.
Then, the colored orange stretch indicator was
joined to the bottom where a hook of the spring
set. A mass hanger was attached at the bottom
of the stretch indicator. Afterwards, the stretch
indicator was aligned at exactly zero. The top of
the stretch indicator was used as the base in
measuring.
B. Determining the Force Constant of the
Spring 4 N/m and 8 N/m.
In this part of the experiment, an equipment
care is required. Dont try to stretch the string
too much. It is simply because the spring is small
and sensitive and also the elasticity of the spring
may change or permanently damaged.

Figure 1: Needed equipments

Another
thing,
the
procedure
done
in
determination of the Force Constant Spring 4N/m
1|Page

and 8N/m are mutually the same. It is just the

value or data will be different.

Afterwards,
the
area
under
Force
vs.
Displacement was computed using numbers. The
needed equation is either of these two:

Figure 3: Doing the experiment.

Figure 4: Snapshot
of the distance.

Shortly after, the total work done and the area

under the graph of force vs. displacement were
compared.
OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

A 10 gram mass was placed on the mass hanger.

The displacement done by the stretched spring
indicated by the stretch indicator was taken a
photo to have the accurate recorded data. The
spring constant was computed using Hookes law
formula
. Steps were repeated as the 10
gram mass was increased in every trial. Using
numbers and calculators, the graph of Force vs.
displacement was plotted and computed. The
slope of the line was also determined using the
slope formula:

where in
C. Determining
Spring.

and
the

Work

.
Done

Table 1A of the experiment:The determination

of the force constant of the spring @ 4 N/m. A
sample computation of the first trial as well as
the table and the graph is presented below.
Spring constant:

Spring Average:
on

the

Percent Difference:

Figure 5: Plotting the points.

The Table 1A and Table 2A were filled up with
data. The total work done in stretching the
spring was computed using this equation:

2|Page

TABLE 1A. Determining the Force Constant of the @

4N/m Spring
mass Force Displacement force constant
Trial
(kg)
(N)
(m)
(N/m)
1
.01
.098
.021
4.667
2
.02
.196
.040
4.900
3
.03
.294
.058
5.069
4
.04
.392
.077
5.091
average
4.932
slope of the line
5.127
% difference
3.885
This table shows the gathered data in every trial.

Force (newton)

4 N/m
0.6
0.4

4 N/m

0.2
0
0

0.05

0.1

Linear (4
N/m)

Displacement (meter)

TABLE 1B. Determining the Force Constant of the @

8N/m Spring
Trial mass Force Displacement force constant
(kg)
(N)
(m)
(N/m)
1
.01
.098
.013
7.538
2
.02
.196
.025
7.840
3
.03
.294
.037
7.946
4
.04
.394
.049
8.000
7.831
average
8.013
slope of the line
2.296
% difference
This table shows the gathered data in every trial

Table 1B of the experiment:The determination

of the force constant of the spring @ 8 N/m. A
sample computation of the first trial as well as
the table and the graph is presented below.

8 N/m
Force (newton)

As the weight (Force) increased, distance it

stretches increased. This means force is directly
proportional to the displacement of the spring
and the graph of the force vs. displacement is a
straight line.

0.6
0.4

8 N/m

0.2
0
0

0.02

0.04

0.06

Linear (8
N/m)

Displacement (meter)

Spring constant:
As the weight (Force) increased, distance it
stretches increased. This means force is directly
proportional to the displacement of the spring
and the graph of the force vs. displacement is a
straight line.
Spring Average:

Percent Difference:

Table 2 of the experiment:The determination

of the work done on the spring. A sample
computation of the work done of TABLE1A as well
as the table and the area graph is presented on
the next page.
Work done on 4N/m spring:
3|Page

The greater the force applied on the spring due

weight, the greater the work done by the spring.
The greater the elasticity, the lesser the work
done or area.
DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION
Area done on 4N/m spring:

Table 2. Determining the Work Done on the Spring

X
work
A of F vs.
Trial
% Diff.
(m) (N/m)
(Joule)
x graph
Table
.077 4.932
.0146
.0148
1.2248
1A
Table
.049 7.831
.0094
.0095
1.0450
2A
This table shows the similarity of work (joule)
and Area of (F vs. x graph).

Force (newton)

8 N/m (Work Done)

0.06
0.04
0.02

8 N/m (Work
Done)

For the determination of work done on the

spring, the area of the graph (F vs. x) is nearly
identical to the total work done. This is because
the relationship gives the area, where the force F
is plotted as a function of distance. In the more
general case of a force which changes with
distance, the work may still be calculated as the
area under the curve.

0.00 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05

Displacement (meter)

4 N/m (Work Done)

Force (newton)

For the determination of force constant of the

spring, formula derived from Hookes Law
provides up a meaning that the extension of a
spring is in direct proportion with the load added
to it as long as this load does not exceed the
elastic limit. In conlcusion, there is a limit to
which something can stretch to. Staying within
the limit, expectedly, it will return to its original
size as the elasticity does not change. However,
passing the limit, it will not turn back to its
normal size. Examples are clothes, rubber bands
and car suspension, all of this will stretch but
may break or wont back if force is exerted
beyond its reach. Thats why our professor inform
us not to stretch the spring not only to not to
damage the spring as well as to get accurate
data. As shown in the graph, the plotted points
when connected will line-up a straight line and
the slope is positive.

0.1
0.05
0
0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08

In real-life application: We can use Hookes law

in LOVE, forcing too much a person beyond its
reach might break or wont go back to normal
anymore. Therefore knows its limit and it will go
back as it was. Another thing, Elasticity in spring
like in patience, forcing too much can lose
patience as the elasticity to the spring.

4 N/m (Work
Done)

Displacement (meter)

4|Page

ACKNOWLEDGMENT & REFERENCE

I would like to give my solemnly gratitude to my
group mates. Thanking them unconditionally. The
success of the experiment isnt probable without
each others help. Next, Prof. Ricardo De Leon,
for continuing being approachable, honest in
answering my questions and making the
experiment fill with humor. Aside from that,
thank you for imparting us your insight about the
experiment. Thank you.
I would like acknowledge the Laboratory
Assistants for assisting students politely and
giving hints about the experiment.
Lastly, I would like to thank almighty God
unconditionally.

Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. (2014).

Principles of Physics. 10th Edition. 137-139.
http://www.universetoday.com/55027/hookeslaw/
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=
20081119031341AAVPAHl
http://www.answers.com/Q/Hooke's_law_applica
tion_in_daily_life

5|Page

6|Page