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 (APA style citations, in-text and in Bibliography) (No longer than 1 page, 1.5 lines separation)
Purpose (as stated on lab instructions)
Hypothesis (How do you think the force constants of the 3 different springs will compare to each other AND do you think that Hooke’s Law applies to real springs; you need to support your claims with some explanations, cite sources)
Materials
Procedure list the steps, past tense 3rd person, add a sketch of the experimental setup
Observations
Controlled variables and data tables (numbered and captioned)
Analysis
Plot on a single graph, the force applied to the spring (vertical axis) versus the stretch of the spring (horizontal axis) 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. (Hint: This is not a simple subtraction of the individual force constants). 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 (stretching) 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.
