Mechanics Lab SM Department
University of Algiers 1
Faculty of Science
SM Department
2023/2024
Mechanical Practical Work
HOOKE'S LAW
Objective:
Checking Hooke's law.
The stiffness constant of a spring can be determined by two methods:
- static method
- dynamic method
The material used:
Ruler, Spring, Stopwatch, Stand and Weights.
I. Theoretical study
A spring submitted to no force has a certain length which we call the empty length or
length at restl0 . If a force of intensity F is applied to it, its length increases and we speak
of an extension ∆l = (lf − li ).
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Mechanics Lab SM Department
The applied force F and the extension ∆l are related by the following relationship: F=k∆l
This law is known as Hooke's law and expresses the proportionality between the extension
and the applied force.
To apply very specific forces, we attach masses whose weight can be easily determined; in
other words, the mass stretches the spring by a force that is simply equal to its weight:
Figure 1: Experimental study
Questions :
1. Study all the forces applied to the mass m.
2. Determine the equilibrium condition
3. If the mass m is moved away from its equilibrium position, the system will start to
oscillate:
a) Determine the differential equation describing the motion
b) Identify the expression for the period T.
II. Manipulations
Manipulation 1: (Static calibration of the spring):
In this experiment, we are going to attach different masses to two separate springs.
Work to be done:For each spring :
1. Measure the no-load spring length 𝒍𝟎 .
2. If necessary, change the position of the ruler so that the free end of the spring is at the
level of the "zero" graduation on the ruler.
Attach various known masses to the free end of the spring.
3. Measure the new length of the spring when the mass reaches its equilibrium position.
4. Complete the following tables: (use g=10m/s²)
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Mechanics Lab SM Department
Table1 of spring 1
m(g) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
∆𝒍(𝒎)
⃗⃗ ‖(N)
‖𝑭
Table2 of spring 2
m(g) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
∆𝒍(𝒎)
⃗⃗ ‖(N)
‖𝑭
From the measurement tables, draw and comment on the graphs mg=f(∆l) for each
spring.
Which of these springs satisfy Hooke's law? justify your answer
For each spring that satisfies Hooke's law, calculate the spring constants.
Compare 𝒌𝟏 and 𝒌𝟐 .
Determine the value of the spring constant 𝒌𝒆𝒒 for the series combination of two
identical springs with spring constant 𝒌𝟐 .
Manipulation2:(Dynamic spring calibration)
Work to be done: For spring 1(𝐤 𝟏 )
1. Attach the mass M to the end of spring 1.
2. Move the mass M slightly away from its equilibrium position and allow the system to
oscillate freely.
3. Measure the time t for 10 oscillations (this operation must be carried out 03 times for
each mass)
4. Complete the following table:
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Mechanics Lab SM Department
Table 3:
M(g) t=10T(s) Tmoy(s) 𝛥Tmoy(s) T2moy(s) 𝛥 T2moy(s)
20
30
40
50
60
For N measurements of T we have:
𝑁
1
∆𝑇𝑚𝑜𝑦 = ∑|𝑇𝑖 − 𝑇𝑚𝑜𝑦 |
𝑁
𝑖=1
Questions :
Plot the graph 𝑻𝟐𝒎𝒐𝒚 = 𝒇(𝑴)
Determine the spring constant.
For M=20 (g), calculate the uncertainty in k
Compare this spring constant with that determined previously
