Lab Partners 9/5/18 Max Bloom Aryaan Hussain
Key Question
What is the relationship between mass added to a spring and the length of a spring?
Variables
Independent Variable - Mass added to the spring (grams)
Dependent Variable - Difference of the Stretch of the spring (centimeters)
Controls - Spring elasticity, spring strength
Dependent Variable - Difference of the Stretch of the spring (centimeters)
Controls - Spring elasticity, spring strength
Raw Data
Weight | Stretch 10g | 1cm 20g | 2.25cm 50g | 6.5cm 100g | 13.5cm 200g | 27cm 300g | 41cm 400g | 54.5cm 500g | 68cm 800g | 122cm |
Procedure/method
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Graphical Analysis
The data that we collected showed a linear correlation with little regression
The Equation for our line of best fit is: Length of Spring (cm) = 0.1375 cm/g * Mass added (grams) - 0.3597
The slope of this line shows that for every gram added, the spring will stretch approximately 0.1375 centimeters
The y-intercept realistically should be 0, but do to minor uncertainty it is slightly negative
The Equation for our line of best fit is: Length of Spring (cm) = 0.1375 cm/g * Mass added (grams) - 0.3597
The slope of this line shows that for every gram added, the spring will stretch approximately 0.1375 centimeters
The y-intercept realistically should be 0, but do to minor uncertainty it is slightly negative
Conclusion
The key question in our experiment stated: "What is the relationship between mass added to a spring and the length of the spring". By collecting a wide range and quantity of data we were able to conclude that spring stretch is directly correlated with mass added to it. However, this conclusion is based on mass below 800 grams. We can extrapolate that this pattern will continue until a certain point. Limitations inhibited my group and I from measuring any higher than 800 grams, but I can only assume based on the nature of a spring that as more weight is added, the spring length to mass ratio will gradually decrease until it reaches 0 at the function's "ceiling". Therefore, this linear relationship between mass and spring length would apply for any spring until the length reaches the length of itself uncoiled.
Weaknesses, Limitations, and Uncertainties
As Aforementioned, my group and I were not able to measure past 800 grams as the spring reached the floor. Measuring at a higher mass is integral to figuring out how the spring behaves as it reaches its uncoiled length. Time was also a limitation in this experiment, forcing my group and I to only conduct one trial. The primary uncertainty in this experiment was the fluctuation of the spring when measuring its length. Especially on the higher weights, the spring would bounce, making measuring the length more uncertain. Other than those limitations and uncertainties, the experiment and conclusion were exactly as hypothesized.
Experimental Improvements
- First and foremost, the distance from the ground that the spring hangs would need to be increased until it is slightly higher than the length of the uncoiled spring. Then, we would be able to record the relationship as the spring reaches its max length.
- Multiple trials would help as well, especially if you were measuring near the spring's uncoiled length as it is more likely for there to be uncertainty at that length.