Investigating elastic potential.

In this activity you will examine the elastic properties of a spring and elastic band by producing a force extension graph for both.

Pre-lab questions

• 1. If the force extension graph is linear, what does this mean?

  2. How is the energy determined from a Force extension graph?

Equipment

Stiff spring

Stiff elastic band - in box

0.5 kg and 1 kg masses - in box

slotted masses

meter ruler

scales

• 1. Measure the mass of the band and the spring.

  2. Set up equipment as in the image below:

The ruler should be lined up with the bottom of the spring. Use a second ruler as a horizontal level to read the extension.

2. Place masses on the spring and measure the extension for each mass.

3. Choose mass amounts that give you at least a couple of cm extension.

4. Tabulate your data and then plot it (if you have logger pro, use this). Paste the table and plot below.

5. Repeat the experiment with the elastic band.

WARNING:

Do not over load the elastic band so it breaks.

Results

insert tables and graphs here

Analysis

• 1. Compare the shape of both graphs, what do the difference suggest about each material?

  2. Find a line of best for any linear sections of each graph

  3. What does the gradient of the line indicate?

  4. Determine the energy of the spring and band at maximum extension.

  5. If the spring/band were released and all of the energy was transferred to kinetic, how fast would they initially go?

  6. If the elastic band is released at you last extension how high can it travel?