Hooke’s Law and SHM Lab
Lab Report Instructions
Introduction
Provide some background information on the topic (Hooke’s Law, SHM, ideal springs vs real springs). Explain the important concepts and cite the sources
Purpose
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure list the steps, past tense 3rd person, add a sketch of the experimental setup
Observations
Controlled variables and data tables
Analysis
Plot on a single graph, the force applied to the spring versus the stretch of the spring for each of the three springs tested in Steps 3.1 and 3.2. Draw a line of best fit for each plot.
Calculate and compare the slopes of the lines on your graph in 5.1. What does each slope represent?
Derive an equation that relates the total force constant, ktotal, to the two individual force constants, k1 and k2 of the two springs used in Step 3.3. Compare the calculated value of ktotal to the value obtained through the experiment.
Derive the values of the force constant for each of the springs using the equation for the period of SHM for the data obtained at Step 4.1.
Calculate the average value of k for each spring.
Discussion
Compare the values of the force constant obtained by static and dynamic (SHM) method. Comment on their agreement/discrepancy.
Identify probable sources of systematic and random errors in this investigation and describe ways in which the errors can be minimized.
Describe the differences between a real spring and ideal spring.
Application
Research one application of springs and explain, why the knowledge of force constant is needed. Provide at least one example with data. Reference your work properly (APA).
Conclusion
A summary of what you did in this experiment and what you found out about real
springs and about the static and dynamic methods.
