Helical spring Hooke's law experiment steps

This investigation demonstrates the relationship between force and extension in elastic materials. The experiment explores fundamental principles of elasticity and material behavior.

Vocabulary: Hooke's Law states that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the applied force, within the elastic limit.

The experimental setup requires careful measurement of both force and extension. Essential equipment includes a spring, known masses, meter stick, and appropriate support structure.

The relationship between force and extension produces a linear graph through the origin, demonstrating direct proportionality within the elastic limit. Beyond this point, the spring's behavior becomes non-linear and eventually leads to permanent deformation.

Investigating the Principle of Moments in Physics

The principle of moments practical investigation is a fundamental physics experiment that demonstrates how forces balance around a pivot point. When an object is in equilibrium, the total clockwise moments exactly equal the total anticlockwise moments about the same point. This principle is crucial for understanding rotational forces and balance in mechanical systems.

To conduct this investigation, you'll need a meter rule balanced on a pivot point, various masses, and a way to measure distances. The experimental setup involves placing different masses at varying distances from the pivot point on both sides of the ruler. By calculating moments (force × perpendicular distance from pivot), you can verify if the system is in equilibrium.

When collecting data, it's essential to record both clockwise and anticlockwise measurements carefully. For each mass placed on the ruler, multiply its weight (mass × 10 N/kg) by its distance from the pivot point. This calculation gives you the moment for that particular force. The investigation demonstrates that when the sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise moments, the ruler remains balanced.

Definition: A moment is the turning effect of a force, calculated by multiplying the force by the perpendicular distance from the pivot point.

Understanding Resistance and Wire Length in Electrical Circuits

The relationship between electrical resistance and wire length forms a fundamental concept in physics, particularly when studying electrical conductors. When examining how resistance changes with wire length, several key factors must be carefully controlled to ensure accurate results.

In a typical experimental setup, we use a metal wire connected to a variable resistor, ammeter, and voltmeter. The wire's length is measured using a metre ruler, while maintaining constant cross-sectional area (CSA) and temperature throughout the investigation. The independent variable is the length of the wire, while the dependent variable is its electrical resistance, measured in ohms (Ω).

Definition: Electrical resistance is the opposition that a material offers to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms (Ω). The resistance of a wire increases proportionally with its length when other factors remain constant.

To maintain experimental accuracy, it's crucial to keep the current low and switch off the power supply between readings. This practice prevents the wire from heating up, which would affect its resistance and compromise the results. The relationship between resistance and length follows a direct proportional pattern, demonstrated by a straight-line graph passing through the origin.

Example: If 1 meter of wire has a resistance of 15Ω, then 2.5 meters of the same wire will have a resistance of 37.5Ω. This calculation demonstrates the direct proportional relationship between length and resistance.