Introduction

Forces cause objects to move or deform in some way. Newton’s third law states that for every
force, there is an equal and opposite force. This is true for springs, which store and use mechanical energy
to do work.
Springs are elastic, which means after they are deformed (when they are being stressed or compressed),
they return to their original shape. Springs are in many objects we use on a daily basis. They in ball point
pens, mattresses, trampolines, and absorb shock in our bikes and cars. According to the Third Law of
Motion, the harder your pull on a spring, the harder it pulls back. Springs obey Hooke’s Law, discovered
by Robert Hooke in the 17th century. Where:
F = -kx
Where F is the force exerted on the spring in Newtons (N),
k is the spring constant, in Newtons per meter (N/m),
and x is the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position.
The spring constant, k, is representative of how stiff the spring is. Stiffer (more difficult to stretch)
springs have higher spring constants. The displacement of an object is a distance measurement that
describes that change from the normal, or equilibrium, position.

The analysis and interpretation of empirical data is one of the most important skills a student of
science and engineering should know. Majority of the activities that you will conduct in the class and in
the future involves empirical data. As an aspiring engineer you should be able to gather, describe,
articulate and explain the data thoroughly. A solid understanding on the information gathered allows you
to arrive with a correct and appropriate decision.

This Exercise will teach you how to present, analyze, and interpret experimental data in a simple
yet effective manner. The exercise will allow you to present experimental data using graphs and
quantitatively describe relationship among data using simple linear regression and linear correlation
coefficient.

Simple linear regression

-If you have two sets of data (x,y), you can express the relationship between these two using the
simple linear regression model equation described by:
=m+b
Where = mean of y data
= mean of x data
M = slope of linear regression line
b = y-intercept of linear regression line
Objectives
1. To construct and analyze experimental data using graphs.
2. To determine the slope of the force vs. spring elongation curve.
3. To describe relationship among experimental data using linear correlation coefficient
and simple linear regression.
4. To calculate the density of the rectangular block
5. To determine the value of the spring constant of the spring.

Methodology
A. Materials
 1 PASCO dynamics track and end stops,
 1 PASCO dynamic cart,
 1 PASCO spring cart launcher set (compression spring, release pin, string),
 1 PASCO super pulley with clamp,
 1 Mass and hanger set.
B. Methodology/Instruction
1. Fit the spring cart launcher onto the top of the cart (Tighten the thumbscrew to secure it)
2. Select one of the included springs. Slide it onto the launcher shaft with the flared end out. Turn the
spring to secure the end in the spring retention hole.
3. Tie the string to the release pin.
4. Install an end stop about 20 cm from the end of the track.
5. Clamp a pulley to the same end of the track.
6. Position the track so that a mass hanging from the pulley is free to hang over the edge of your lab
bench.
7. Level the track so that the cart does not roll when released from a standstill.
8. Place the cart on the track with the launcher shaft through the hole in the end stop.
9. Tie a piece of string (about 40 cm long) to the launcher shaft. Run the string over the pulley and the
launcher shaft.
10. In the table, record the position of the cart on the track and the total mass hanging from the string.
11. Add 50g to the hanging mass and measure the displacement (L) of the spring. Compute the weight
of the mass using equation
C. W = mg
D. m = mass(kg)
E. g = 9.81
12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 until the hanging mass is about 500g.
13. On the provided graphing paper, sketch the Weight vs. Displacement curve. Put the weight on the
y-axis while spring displacement is on the x-axis. Fit a line of best fit. Do not connect the points line
by line
14. Compute the slope of the graph.
15. Compute the y-intercept of the graph.
16. Compute the uncertainty in the computed slope and the linear correlation coefficient between the
weight and the other displacement.
Results and Discussion

TABLE 2.0 WEIGHT AND SPRING DISPLACEMENT

Mass W(y) L(x)

50 g 450.5 N 0.8 cm
100 g 981 N 1.5 cm
150 g 1471.5 N 2 cm
200 g 1962 N 2.6 cm
250 g 2452.5 N 3.2 cm
300 g 2943 N 3.9 cm
350 g 3433.5 N 4.5 cm
400 g 3924 N 5.1 cm
450 g 4414.5 N 5.6 cm
500 g 4905 N 6.4 cm

TABLE 2.1 DATA FOR THE COMPUTATION OF SLOPE AND Y-INTERCEPT

X1 Y1
0.8 cm 490.5 N 0.64 392.4
1.5 cm 981 N 2.25 1471.5
2 cm 1471. 5 N 4 2943
2.6 cm 1962 N 6.76 5101.2
3.2 cm 2452.5 N 10.24 7848
3.9 cm 2943 N 15.21 11477.7
4.5 cm 34335 N 20.25 15450.75
5.1 cm 3924 N 26.01 20012.4
5.6 cm 4414.5 N 31.36 24721.2
6.4 cm 4905 N 40.96 31392
35.6 22977.5 157.68 120809.45

m=1260.649 b= -2190.1636
TABLE 2.1 DATA FOR COMPUTATION OF SLOPE AND Y-INTERCEPT UNCERTAINTIES

L W Y= d1 = L2
mL + W-Y
b
0.8 490. - 1672 2796 0.64
cm 5N 1181 .14 052.
.64 18
1.5 981 - 1280 1638 2.25
cm N 299. .19 886.
19 43
2 cm 1471 331. 1140 1300 4
.5N 13 .37 443.
74
2.6 1962 1087 874. 7647 6.76
cm N .52 48 15.2
7
3.2 2452 1843 608. 3703 10.2
cm .5 N .91 59 81.7 4
9
3.9 2943 2726 216. 4692 15.2
cm N .37 63 8.56 1
4.5 3433 3482 - 2426 20.2
cm 5N .76 49.2 .55 5
6
5.1 3924 4239 - 9931 26.0
cm N .15 315. 9.52 1
15
5.6 4414 4869 - 2069 31.3
cm .5 N .47 454. 97.7 6
97
6.4 4905 5877 - 9467 40.9
cm N .99 972. 09.5 6
99 4
TABLE 2.2 SUMMARY OF RESULT

Quantity Measurement Uncertainty

Slope 1260.649 181.70
y-intercept -2190.1636 721.5
Correlation 1.11112
Coefficient
Spring Constant 1260.67 181.70
QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

1. Based on your data, what is the type of relationship between the weight and the spring
displacement?
-The spring displacement and weight based from the group’s data have a directly
proportional relationship. As the weight increases, so does the displacement of the
spring.

2. Write the mathematical relationship between the weight and spring displacement.
F = -kx
Where F is the force exerted on the spring in Newtons (N),
k is the spring constant, in Newtons per meter (N/m),
and x is the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position.
The spring constant, k, is representative of how stiff the spring is. Stiffer (more difficult
to stretch) springs have higher spring constants. The displacement of an object is a
distance measurement that describes that change from the normal, or equilibrium,
position.

3. The value of the spring constant is equal to ______________. What is the SI unit of the
spring constant?
-The value of the spring constant is different or specific for each spring. The SI unit for
spring constant is in N(Newtons)

4. From the value of the computed correlation coefficient, what can you say about the
relationship between the weight and the spring displacement?
-Based from the given data, both are almost of the same value.

5. Why do we need to compute for the slope’s uncertainty? Explain your answer.
-Calculating for the uncertainty is essential to see how close the data given is from its
best value. This is supported by using maximum, minimum and the assumed best line
while taking into account error bars.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using graphs in presenting data?
-Data is visually presented in an efficient manner where viewers can
understand the data from a glance. Summarization of a large group of data is
easily understood with the use of tables, although some clarifications may be
needed in order to fully grasp the situation or trend presented.