1. Determine the spring constant, k, of Spring 1, by using Hooke’s Law. Take three different measurements (since 3 masses) and do three calculations and average your k’s to get a more accurate answer. By applying lots of friction, you will be able to get your mass to hang still. Show a table of your data and your calculations of k.

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Masses_and_Springs

Question

1.	Determine the spring constant, k, of Spring 1, by using Hooke’s Law.  Take three different measurements (since 3 masses) and do three calculations and average your k’s to get a more accurate answer.  By applying lots of friction, you will be able to get your mass to hang still.  Show a table of your data and your calculations of k.

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Masses_and_Springs

anonymous · Answer

Hooke's law states that
$$F = -kx$$
Meaning the force the spring exerts upwards  (in N) to balance out the force the weight extends downwards is the spring constant multiplied by the extension x (in m).
This F is the same as the force exerted by the weight, just in the opposite direction indicated by the negative sign, so you can ignore the negative sign and use F as the downward force exerted by the weight instead.
You can solve this for k, to get
$$k = F/x$$
To get the spring constant for any given force and spring extension.
The only other thing you need to know is that
$$F = ma$$
So the force exerted by the weight is the mass of the weight times the acceleration, which on earth is
$$9.81 m/s ^{2}$$
With that you should be able to calculate the force for each weight, record it and the extension, and insert it into the formula for Hooke's law to calculate the spring constant.

I hope that made sense :)

anonymous · Answer

Yeah, thats amazing! Thanks man!

anonymous · Answer

Anytime.