2.

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Define Elasticity

A property of matter that enables an object to return to its original size and shape when the force that was acting on it is removed.

No external force is applied. Molecules are at their equilibrium separation. Intermolecular force is equal zero.

Compressing a solid causes its molecules to be displaced closer to each other. Repulsive intermolecular force acts to push the molecules back to their original positions.

Stretching a solid causes its molecules to be displaced away from each other. Attractive intermolecular force acts to pull back the molecules to their original positions.

Stretching a wire by an external force:

Its molecules are slightly displaced away from one another. Strong attractive forces act between the molecules to oppose the
stretching When the external force is removed: The attractive intermolecular forces bring the molecules back to their equilibrium separation. The wire returns to its original position

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State Hookes Law

The extension of a spring is directly proportional to the applied force provided the elastic limit is not exceeded. F = kx F= force on the spring x = extension k = force constant of the spring

Force extension graph

Based on the graph: Relationship between F & x : F is directly proportional to x The gradient of the graph represent = force constant of the spring, k Area under the graph equal to the work done to extent the spring: 2 = elastic potential energy = Fx = kx

The elastic limit of a spring

The maximum force that can be applied to a spring such that the spring will be able to be restored to its original length when the force is removed. If a force stretches a spring beyond its elastic limit, the spring cannot return to its original length even though the force no longer acts on it. The Hookes law is not obeyed anymore.

Force constant of the spring, k

The force required to produce one unit of extension of the spring.

F x

unit N m or N cm or N mm

-1

-1

-1

k is a measurement of the stiffness of the spring The spring with a larger force constant is harder to extend and is said to be more stiff. A spring with a smaller force constant is easier to extend and is said to be less stiff or softer. Factors that effect elasticity Factor Length Diameter of spring wire Diameter spring Type of material

Change in factor How does it affects the elasticity Shorter spring Less elastic Longer spring More elastic Smaller diameter More elastic Larger diameter Less elastic Smaller diameter Less elastic Larger diameter More elastic Springs made of different materials Elasticity changes according to the type of material

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Describe applications of elasticity

(1) Cushion / mattress: The spring in a cushion or mattress undergo many cycles of compression during use and each time the cushion is able to return to its original shape. This is due to the elasticity of the springs. (2) Electric meter : Electric meters such as ammeter, voltmeter and galvanometer have spiral springs. The springs are used to stop the pointer at a specific point on the scale or to return the pointer to the zero mark on the scale after a measurement has been taken (3) Weighing apparatus: A weighing apparatus such as spring balance , a spring is either extended or compressed and it obeys the Hooke law and it caused the apparatus has a linear scale. (4) Vehicles spring support: It enables the passengers in a vehicle to be seated in a comfortable position when the vehicle goes on a bumpy road because springs shock absorbers are mounted on the wheels of vehicles to absorb impacts and damp vibrations resulting from movement on the bumpy road or uneven road surface. (5) In sports : The elastic strings of a tennis or a badminton racket enable them to rebound the ball or shuttle. The ropes used by rock climbers have elastic properties that can save lives during climbing accidents. The ropes are made of a continuous-drawn nylon fibre core and a protective textile covering . This reduces the stopping force acting on a falling climber. A bow bends or elastic twine of the bow is stretched to store the elastic potential energy used to propel the arrow.

Arrangement of the spring In series In parallel

The same load is applied to each spring. Tension in each spring = W Extension of each spring = x Total extension = 2x If n springs are used: The total extension = nx

The load is shared equally among the springs. Tension in each spring =

W 2 x 2

Extension of each spring = If n springs are used: The total extension =

x n

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Example 1 The original length of a spring is 5 cm. With a load of mass 20 g, the length of the spring is extended to 7 cm. Determine (a) the extension of the spring with a load 40 g (b) the length of the spring with a load 60 g. the load required to extend the spring to 20 cm.

Example 4 Figure shows a graph of force, F against extension, x for a spring. What is the potential energy stored when the spring is extended by 0.4 m?

Example 2 Spring A extends by 2 cm when it hung with a 10 g weight. Spring B extends by 4 cm when it hung with a 10g weight. Find the total stretch in each of the spring systems shown in the following figure.

Example 5 Figure shows a ball of mass 10 g pushed against one end of a spring on a smooth surface. The original length of the spring is -1 14 cm and its spring constant is 200 N m .

Determine (a) the elastic potential energy stored in the spring. (b) the maximum velocity reached by the ball after the compressive force on the spring is removed.

Example 3 The original length of a spring is 12 cm. With a load of 20 g , the length of the spring is extended to 15 cm. What is the elastic potential energy stored in the spring?

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TUTORIAL 2.11
1 The relationship between stretching force, F, with the extension, x, of a spring, is given by the equation: F = kx where k is the spring constant. What is the unit of k? (2005) -1 A. N m -2 B. N m -1 C. kg m -2 D. kg m A spring produces an extension of 4 cm when a stretching force of 1.2 N is applied to it. What is the elastic constant of the spring? -1 A. 30 N m -1 B. 40 N m -1 C. 60 N m The diagrams show the position of a steel ball bearing when the spring is compressed and after the spring is released.

Question 1 Figure 1 shows a boy extending the elastic rubber of a catapult.

Figure 1 (a) State the type of energy stored in the elastic rubber.

(b) Explain the change of energy when the stone is released from the elastic rubber of the catapult.

(c) What happens to the maximum displacement if a smaller stone of similar mass is used?

(d) If the elastic rubber is extended 20 cm by a force of 8 N, (i) what is the stored potential energy in the elastic rubber?

The distance x can be increased by using A a softer spring B a longer spring C a spring with a larger diameter D two similar springs arranged in parallel

(ii)

If the mass of the stone is 20 g, what is the velocity of the stone.

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Question 2 Figure 2 shows the arrangement of an apparatus in an experiment to determine the relationship between the extension e of a spring T with weight W. The relationship of e with W is shown in the graph in Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2 Sketch the graph of x against F for this experiment in Figure 2.1. Question 3 Figure (a) shows an archer shoots a target Figure (b) the archer shoots the same target but at different distance. Figure 2.1 (a) (i) State the SI unit of weight. (ii) State the relationship between e and W.

(iii) Name the scientific law involved in the relationship stated in (a)(ii). Observe the conditions of each bow and the distance of the target from the archer. Based on the observations: (a) State one suitable inference that can be made. (b) State one appropriate hypothesis for an investigation. (c) With the use of apparatus such as trolley, ticker timer and other apparatus , describe an experimental framework to test your hypothesis. In your description , state clearly the following: (i) Aim of the experiment (ii) Variables in the experiment (iii) List of apparatus and materials (iv) Arrangement of the apparatus (v) The procedure of the experiment which include the method of controlling the manipulated variable and the method of measuring the responding variable. (vi) Way you would tabulate the data (vii) Way you would analysis the data

(b) (i) What is the elastic limit of a spring.

(ii) Mark with a cross (x) the elastic limit of the spring on the graph. (c) Based on the graph in figure 14.1, determine the force constant of a spring, k,.

(d) The spring stores energy when it is extended. Calculate the energy stored in the spring when it is extended by 4 cm.

(e) Another spring, identical to spring T, is added to the arrangement in Figure 2.1. This new arrangement is shown in Figure 2.2. The experiment is then repeated.

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