Spring force and Spring potential energy

Algebra Based Physics

Spring Force and

Spring Potential Energy

Videos:

These videos can help you if you are struggling or if you missed class.

Sal Khan explains the spring force and Hooke's Law.

New Variable Fact Sheet:

These sheets will provide you with a quick reference to some of the most important facts about the concept.

Concept Questions:

These are the conceptual questions and problems we will answer and solve together in class.

Lab Activity:

Lab Activity #1. Finding the spring stiffness constant k of a hanging spring

Use a meterstick, some masses, and a stand, to find the spring stiffness constant of a spring k.

Lab Activity #2. Finding the spring stiffness constant k of a spring popper toy

Use a meterstick and a digital scale to determine the spring constant of a toy Halloween popper.

Webassign:

Do the Webassign "Spring Force and Spring Potential Energy" for homework. If you get stuck on a problem ask yourself these questions before you give up or ask for help.

Simulation:

PhET Masses and Springs simulation

1. Go to this PhET simulation and click "Run Now".

2. Play around and experiment to determine the spring stiffness constants of the two springs on the left.

3. Now turn the "softness spring 3" setting all the way to the right to hard. Experiment to determine the spring stiffness coefficient of spring 3 (when the setting is to hard).

4. Show all work, and be ready to explain how you found your values for the next class period.