displacement
(spring 1)
Force
(spring 1)
displacement
(spring 2)
Force
(spring 2)
1
5 cm
5 cm
2
10 cm
10 cm
3
15 cm
15 cm

Spring Lab - Force and Potential Energy
Select 2 different springs.
Record each Forces for each corresponding lengths for spring 1.
Repeat step 2 with the other spring.
Graph your results with spring displacement on the horizontal axis and Force on the vertical axis; draw a best-fit line.
Answer the questions about this lab.

Warning!!!!
If you stretch the spring too far, you will damage it permanently.

Questions
When the spring is stretched, what type of energy is present? ___________
If the spring is released and suddenly snaps back, what type of energy is present? _________________
Was your graph straight or curved? ______________
What was the Independent Variable? ___________
What was the Dependent Variable? ___________
When have you seen a spring used in real-life? (1 example from each group member)

Purpose of this lab:
a) to expose students to distinctions between
independent and dependent variables
b) to expose students to Force and elastic potential energy

Force Scale

spring