Determination of the Spring Constant by Using Hooke's Law

• Theory:

If a spring is attached vertically with mass m, it is extended by length x according to

Hooke's law :
𝐹 = −𝐾𝑥 (1)
where, F is the extension force, K is the spring constant, and x is the extended length
But
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 (2)
where, m is the attached mass and a is the acceleration
from 1 and 2
𝑚𝑎 = −𝐾𝑥
and
𝑑2𝑥
𝑎= 2
𝑑𝑡
So
𝑑2𝑥 𝐾

2
=− 𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑚 time T:
This is a simple harmonic motion with periodic

𝑚
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝐾
By squaring the equation:

𝑇2 4𝜋2
= · 𝑚
𝐾
By drawing m as x-axis and T2 as y-axis, we get straight line has a 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 4𝜋2.
𝐾

T 2(s2)

4𝜋2
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 𝐾

m(g)
• Apparatus:
Spring – pan with hook – weights –stopwatch.

• Method:
1. Put suitable mass m in the pan and record it in the table.
2. Move the pan up slightly then let it vibrates vertically.
3. Record t20, the time of 20 vibrations, in the table.
4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for different values of m and record the corresponding
time t20.
5. Calculate the periodic time T then its square T2.
6. Plot m as x-axis and T2 as y-axis and from the straight line determine the
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 4𝜋2, then find spring constant K.
𝐾

• Results:

m 0 80 100 120 140 160

(g)
t20 0 10.85 11.95 13.17 13.52 15.5
(s)
T(s 0 0.542 0.597 0.658 0.676 0.775
)
2
T (s 0 0.29 0.357 0.434 0.467 0.601
2
)

0.7

0.6
f(x) = 0 x − 0
0.5

0.4

T2(s2
0.3

0.2

0.1

0
m (gm
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Slope =3.637 ×10 -3 s2/ g & K = 10.84× 103 dyne/cm