Question

In the most detail you can possibly explain, how would I find the 'K' or the spring constant of a slope where the 'y' axis is labeled as Newtons, and the 'x' axis labeled as the change in length?

Answer 1

just find the slope of the line

Answer 2

I probably should have taken more time to explain this, but I know the equation in this case is F=K times the change in length, but with the multiple numbers associated with this graph, I'm not sure how to go about completing the equation

Answer 3

Could you possibly scan it?

Answer 4

Yeah I'll take a picture, one second

Answer 5

Just keep in mind that for oscillatory motion, the spring constant k is linear.

Answer 6

Look on page 2 of the pdf.

Answer 7

bleb

Answer 8

Okay wha...the spring force is a restorative force, that graph should have a negative slope...

Answer 9

Well fack. Maybe I've misunderstood this. I'll get help with it in class tomorrow.

Answer 10

What physics class is this?

Answer 11

Physics 1

Answer 12

High school or college?

Answer 13

High school

Answer 14

Okay, thanks.
Now, do you know what a "restoring force" is?

Answer 15

yeah

Answer 16

Okay, so a spring force is a restoring force. When you don't touch it, a spring is in equillibrium and at rest. When you apply a force and displace it a certain length, you don't really notice the restoring force. But the more you pull the harder it is to pull right? That's because the "restoring force" is "fighting" against you.
So a spring force should be negative.

Answer 17

If you look at the pdf I attached, on the second page is what a spring force-displacement graph looks like.

Answer 18

Oh, yes that does make sense, I can't find the PDF attached though lol.

Answer 19

Alright, I'll have a look and continue on with my works. Thanks a lot. c:

Answer 20

No prob.
oh and @Unitystep

I wouldn't recommend trying to understand those notes unless you have at least a basic understanding of calculus. That's from my own physic class way back when and it was an calculus based physics course (college level)

Answer 21

You can try, but don't hurt yourself trying

Answer 22

I take a pre-calculus class so I should be fine lol.

Answer 23

Up to you.
Just don't forget to close the question. =)
Good luck!

Answer 24

@Unitystep
This is not a calculus issue

Spring force is a linear relationship

The graph detail shows that (over the elastic portion of the spring extension) the relationship of force to extension is F=-kx

For any straight line graph of the form y=mx+c the value of m is the slope of the graph.

So - if you have a graph with data points on it (at least 2 points are required) then calculate the slope - that is the spring constant.

The slope is calculated by (change in Y)/(change in X)

For a straight line you can get these values from any two points on the graph.

(you would need differential calculus to find the slope at a given point IF the line was not a straight line...)

Answer 25

@MrNood
The calculus I mentioned wasn't for this problem. It was for interpretation of the notes I attached.

Answer 26

I see that now.

The OP's graph is a clear straight line an d the data is precisely linear. Just a question of calculating the slope...