Expt.

1
To Find the Force Constant of a Helical Spring by Plotting a Graph Between Load And Extension

Aim
To find the force constant of a helical spring by plotting a graph between load and extension.

Apparatus/ Materials Required

 A rigid support
 Spring
 A 50 g or 20 g hanger
 Six 20 g or 50 g slotted weight
 A fine pointer
 A vertical wooden scale
 A hook

Diagram

Theory
F ∝ l or F = Kl

F – Load; l – extension; k – proportionality constant called spring constant or force constant.

Procedure

1. Suspend the spring from a rigid support and attach the pointer and the hook from its lower free end.
2. Hang a 50 g hanger from the hook
3. Arrange the vertical wooden scale such that the tip of the pointer comes over the divisions on the scale
but does not touch the scale.
4. Note the reading on the scale and record it in loading column against the zero loads.
5. Gently add a suitable load of 50 g or 20 g of slotted weight to the hanger. The tip of the pointer moves
down.
6. Wait for some time till the pointer comes to rest. Repeat step 4.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 till six slots have been added.
 8. Remove one slotted weight. The pointer moves up. Repeat step 6 and record the reading in unloading
column.
9. Repeat step 8 till the only hanger is left.
10. Record your observation as given below in the table.
11. Plot a graph between F and l with F along the x-axis and l along the y-axis. The graph is a straight
line.

Table for extension and load

Mass of weight hanger = 0.05 kg

Initial Pointer Reader = 0 m

S.No. Added Load Pointer reading Extension Spring

Mass Weight Constant
‘m’ F = mg Loading Unloading Average
(in N)
(in Kg) y1 (m) y2 (m)

1 0.05 0.49 0.016 0.016 0.016 0.016 30.625

2 0.10 0.98 0.033 0.033 0.033 0.033 29.697
3 0.15 1.47 0.049 0.049 0.049 0.049 30.000
4 0.20 1.96 0.065 0.065 0.065 0.065 30.154
5 0.25 2.45 0.081 0.081 0.081 0.081 30.245

Mean = 30.144 N/m

Result
The spring constant of the given spring is
(i) By Formula = 30.144 N/m.
(ii) By Graph = ___________.
Precautions

1. Loading and unloading of weight must be done gently.

2. Reading should be noted only when tip of pointer comes to rest.
3. Pointer tip should not touch the scale surface.
4. Loading should not be beyond elastic limit.

Sources of error

1. The support may not be rigid.

2. The slotted weights may not have correct weight.
 Expt-2 - Sonometer

Aim:
To show that n x l is a constant.
Apparatus:

Sonometer, Tuning forks. Slotted weights, Rubber hammer etc.

Theory:

The frequency (n) of transverse vibration of a string is inversely proportional to the length of the vibrating
segment of the wire when tension (T) and linear density (m) are constants.
i.e., n ∝ 1/l
n x l = K, a constant

Procedure

Verification of the law:

1. The sonometer wire is stretched with a suitable mass M (say 2 kg) by placing on the weight hanger.
2. The bridges A and B are kept close to each other. A thin paper rider is placed on the string between
the bridges.
3. The tuning fork of frequency ‘n’ is excited and its stem is pressed on the sonometer box.
4. The bridges are adjusted until the paper rider vibrates with maximum amplitude and is thrown off.
5. The length of the wire between the bridges (l) is measured.
6. The experiment is repeated and the mean length (l) is found out.
7. Then n x l is calculated.
8. The experiment Is repeated with other tuning forks of different frequencies without changing the
tension. Each case n x l is found to be a constant (K).
9. A graph is drawn with frequency ‘n’ along X-axis and ‘1/l’ along the Y-axis The graph will be a
straight line.

Diagram:
Observation Table and Readings
To study the relation between n and l
S.No Frequency Resonating length 1/l (cm-1) nl
of Tuning 1 2 Mean (cm)
Fork
1 512 17.5 17.3 17.4 0.0575 8908
2 384 23.2 23.2 23.2 0.0434 8909
3 320 27.9 27.7 27.8 0.0359 8896

Result

1. n x l is found to be a constant.
2. A graph is drawn with frequency ‘n’ along X-axis and ‘1/l’ along the Y-axis The graph is a straight
line.

Precautions

1. Pulley should be friction less.

2. Wires used should be kink less and of uniform cross-section.
3. Loading of wires should not be beyond elastic limit keep max. load = one-third of breaking load.
4. Tuning fork should be vibrated by striking its prongs against soft rubber pad.
5. Weight of hanger should be included in the load.
6. Load should be removed after the experiment.

Sources of error

1. Wire may not be rigid and of uniform cross-sectional area.

2. Pulley may not be friction less.
3. Weights used may not be correct.
4. Bridges may not be sharp.