Physics Factsheet @ rriculum-pre: INTL Uo Experiments- Hooke's Law and Young Modulus Factsheet 27 went through the elasticity theory required at Actevel (and probably further) in some detail. In this Factsheet we will ook at some ofthe experimental work linked to the topic. We will concentrate on how best to make the practical work produce accurate and reliable data, and the graphical work and calculations resulting, “Hooke’s Law provides information on the properties of a specific device (spring, length of wire, etc). The Young modulus gives us a value for & amaaterial (steel, copper, glass, et). Hooke's Law refers toa specifi device; the Young modulus ‘fers toa material. Hooke's Lave (revision): F 0 n Inthe proportional region, between O and P (the limit of proportionality): where F isthe applied force (N) isthe extension (m) kis the spring constant (Nr!) ‘Throughout these practicals, always do repeats and averages where possible, and take care with Significant figures and units Finding the spring constant, k, ofa steel spring. ‘This is a standard practical going back 10 GCSE level. A series of masses ae carefully added to the mass holder, and measurements of extension and weight are recorded ina 7 table, “The results are then graphed F ‘The spring constant, Z is the gradient (from k= AF/ Ae) Practical Hints: 1. Use onty small masses. This gives you more data points. It also ‘makes iless likely you will exceed the limit of proportionality Repeat readings with decreasing masses to ensure there is no Iryteresis effect. 3. Some springs are manufactured withthe eos forced so tightly together thar it takes a significant force to begin separating them. This may affect the starting point ofthe graph. Use oniythe straight-line section tofind the gradient Example: ‘A student performs an experiment to find the spring constant of a steel spring, obtaining these results Mass/ Ave. extension /10° em 00 ou os os 13 18 21 Find the spring constant. Solution: Rewrite the table: Weight10°N ‘Ave, extension /10° 0 0 “9 1 98 3 17 8 196 B 265 18 298 2 "Notice the care that must be taken with the units, and thatthe best iruight lie should not be started from the origin inthis situation.83. Experiments-Hooke's Lawand Young Modulus, Physics Factsheet CombinationsofSprings Experimental work is ofen performed to verify the rules for combining springs in sees and parallel Series Parallel ui [Practical Hints: in the series combination, different springs can be used, but be prepared to add the inverse spring constant: in the parallel combination, always use identical springs. Otherwise one will extond further than the other, eausing the lower support rod trip. Finding “g” from SHM with an oscillating steel spring: Hooke's Law can be used in simple harmonic motion where the period of the mass, m, oscillating vertically from a spring depends on the spring T= 2nik) = 2 Using arange of masses, we record extension e and period of oscillation T. vig aE We find ‘The gradient of the graph will be An. [Practical Hines: Use small extensions forthe spring (small masses) to ensure that you ar loperaring in the Hooke's Law region. However remember using very} malt extensions will increase the percentage error inthe measurement] Use small amplitude oscillations to stay within the Hooke’s Lav region, and also ro reduce the likelihood ofthe spring entering “swinging mode’ (acting lke a pendulum) [With the previous set-up, the student sets the mass on the steel spring. into vertical oscillation. The time for 10 oscillations is measured (and repeated and averaged) foreach mass. Table of results: ‘Mass7@ | Ave: time for 10 ove. 7s] Extension, ¢7 em 50 38 37 100 54 73 150 67 mt 200 1 149 250 86 185 Find the value of "g” from the results. Tie 080 0.60 040 020 aio 040 The gradient works out to be 4.0 ang =4.0 timing oscillations) are more difficult than static measurements (e.g. measuring extension). Its essential to repeat and average, and to measure tenor twenty oscillations, not just one83.Experiments- Hooke'sLaw and Young Modulus Physics Factsheet el ‘The Young modulus (revision): ‘As mentioned, the Young modulus is a property of a material, Instead of applied force, we use tensile stress (the force applied per unit cross- sectional area} instead of extension, we use tensile strain (the fractional {ncrease in length, (Nm) (no units) where Lis the original length Young modulus, E tress/strain = (FIA) /(eM) Orwe can write: E=(FD/(Ae) (Nm) ‘The Young modulus is a measure ofthe stiffness of a material | It may be useful to emphasise the size of the effect we may see experimentally with anexample, Example: Mild stel hes a Young modulus E= 20 x 10" Nm*. A stel wire of length 1.00mhas a cross-sectional area of Omm. Find the extension if force of TOON is applied to the wire. Solution: E= CF) /(Ae) = (100x1.0) /(L.0x10* x 20x10 = 5.0x104m = 050mm. “The point of this example is to ustrate the tiny extension expected in ‘Young modulus investigations. contol wire "Test wire spirit level = test masses This set-up, combined with careful experimentation, should maximise the accuracy of te final result. Notice these points ~ they are important: 1, Amicrometerisused to measure the diameter in several places on both 2. The control wie compensates for changes in temperature or “sagging” of the support frame. 3, Small loads are introduced onto both wires to make sure they are ‘swaight before measurements are taken. 44, The spirtlevel and micrometer allow very small changes tobe measured, Readings on both loading and unloading are taken for accuracy, and to check for any hysteresis effect. 6. A bost-straight line graph is used for increased accuracy. ‘Safety point: To maximise the extension obtained, along and very thin wire is put under considerable tension. Goggles must be worn in cease the wire snaps. A graph of results will resemble this example: (Fl) (Ae) So the experimental value forE willbe found from: = gradient x (WA) Exam Hint: Be prepared discuss the ways in which he extension of the wire is maximised, and the steps taken 10 improve accuracy. Also be ready to discuss why accuracy is more dificult ro achieve in finding the Young modulus than the spring constant. Questions 1. (a) State the key difference between the spring constant and the Young modulus. (b)Why is the spring constant generally easier to determine experimentally? 2, Using weights from 0 to ION, a steel spring exhibits extensions increasing linearly from 0 to 20cm. (@) Find the spring constant (b) Find the extension fora load of 25N, (Can you be certain ofthis?) 3, Hereis a set of results fr an experiment witha length of metallic wire (original length, I= 1.5m; diameter= 2.0mm). Tension, T/N Extension, e/ mm 0 0.00 100 019 200 a2 300 0.60 400 083 500 099 600 124 (2) Graph these results (with T on the y-axis) (b) Find the gradient (in Nm’) (6) Find the cross-sectional area (in m’). (@) Calculate the Young modulus for this meta. 4, A 1.0m length of wize is suetched by 0.5mm, This causes a decrease in the cross-sectional area, (a) Estimate the % change in the stress due to this area change. () Is this large enough to be noticeable in the results? Answer 1. (a) Spring constant — property of device ‘Young modulus - property of material. (®) Much lager extension when dealing with springs, ete. Easier to measure extension accurately. 2. (@) k= Fle= 50Nm* (b) S0em (but only ifthe limit of proportionality is not exceeded) 3. (b) Gradient approximately 4.9 x 10°Nav (©) 3.18 x 10% (@) B= gradient x (VA) 4. (@) stress =F/A, volume change in sess of same magnitude as that in area. ‘And % change in area of same magnitude as that in length Fechange = 0.05% () This is too small tobe notice. ‘Te Ps Fee rel 23 10°Nr erat tn en 7