HOOKES LAW

PAST KCSE QUESTIONS ON THE TOPIC

1. Distinguish between ductile and brittle material

2. Identify the girders in the structure that can be replaced by a string

A
B

3. It is easier to bend an iron rod than a glass rod of the same dimensions at

room temperature. Give a reason for this

4. (a) An experiment was performed to find out how the length L of a

spiral spring varies with the compression force, F The figure

shows the variation.

(i) Draw a diagram of a possible set up of the apparatus

(ii) Over which range of the force does the spring obey Hooker’s

law?
(iii) Suggest a reason for the shape of the graph between 40N and

60N

(b) Two identical springs of spring constant 3N/cm are used to

support a load of 30N as shown. Determine the extension of

each spring.

(c) State two factors that govern the strengths of a spiral of given

material
5. 1994: (a) State Hooke’s Law)

(b) Long uniform beams are to be supported near their ends by two

supports X and Y, Which are fixed to the ground and at the

same level. When beam A is placed on the supports, it sags in

the middle but when it is turned through an angle of 900 the sag

is the same.

(i) Suggest the possible shapes of the beams A and B.

(ii) Beam C is of the same shape as beam B but has a notch

in the middle. How should it be placed on the supports

so that the notch does not extend? Give a reason for

your answer.

6. The fig shows a beam AB supported at points A and B. A large force is

applied on the beam as shown. Mark on the diagram the position X

where the notch is likely to appear.

7. The figure shows a wire A and a spring B made of the same material. The

thickness of the wire is the same in both cases. Masses are added on each of

the same intervals and the extension noted each time.

Sketch the graph of extension against load for each. (Hooks Law is obeyed.)

8. State Hooke’s Law

9. A spiral spring stretches by 0.6 cm when a mass of 300g is suspended on it.

What is the spring constant?