Section 2
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
Spring Force
Investigate spring force using elastic bands.
We use elastic bands for different purposes – from holding
things together to using them as tools for muscle-building
exercises. You know that when a stretched elastic band is
released, it can snap back to restore its original shape. This
is a demonstration of the spring force. The spring force is the
force exerted by a compressed or stretched spring upon any
object that is attached to it. But is the effort needed to stretch
an elastic band the same regardless of how much the elastic
band has already been stretched? And what happens when
an elastic band can no longer be stretched?
Examples of Springs:
diving board
trampoline
A spring is something
that returns to its
original shape when it
is no longer compressed
or stretched. So, as
a rubber stick, I’m a
spring too!
Popular Book Company (Canada) Ltd. Complete ScienceSmart • Grade 7 1
Section 2
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
Spring Force Level of
Difficulty:
moderate
In this experiment, you will investigate the force
needed to stretch an already stretched Time
elastic band. Needed:
1 hour
Hypothesis:
Circle the correct word to show your hypothesis.
The more an elastic band is already pulled, the more / less
force is needed to stretch it.
Materials:
• an elastic band • 8 balloons • string • tape
• a ruler • a pencil • a bucket
Steps:
Wear goggles to protect
1. Fill each balloon with about 100 mL of your eyes in case the
water. Make a knot and tie a string to each elastic band breaks.
balloon’s knot.
2. Put the elastic band over a doorknob.
3. Put a small piece of tape on the door and
add an arrow to mark where the base of
the elastic band hangs.
4. Use the string to tie a water-filled balloon
to the elastic band. Place the pail under it
to prevent any mess.
5. Measure the stretched distance between the
new base of the elastic band and the arrow.
Record the distance in the table.
6. Add another tape with an arrow to the
new base of the elastic band. Add another
balloon and repeat Step 5 until all balloons
are added or the elastic band breaks.
Record your observations on the next page.
Popular Book Company (Canada) Ltd. Complete ScienceSmart • Grade 7 2
Section 2
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
Spring Force
My Record
No. of Distance Stretched Conclusion:
Balloons (cm)
1 Circle the correct words after
conducting the experiment.
The distances that the elastic
stretched increase / decrease
as more balloons are added.
My hypothesis was correct /
incorrect .
Explanation:
The distances that the elastic band stretched due to the added
balloons were shorter in proportion to the distance stretched by
the first balloon, meaning that it was more difficult to stretch the
elastic band when it was already pulled. This is because the farther
the elastic band was pulled, the more stored energy it had for
snapping back to its original shape. Therefore, it took more force
to stretch the elastic band. Also, if you happened to stretch the
elastic band until it broke, then the elastic band had reached its
breaking point. The breaking point was reached when the elastic
band could no longer be stretched like a spring; instead, it acted
like a rigid object without elasticity. In other words, it had exerted
its maximum force, and when more load was added, it reached
its breaking point and the elastic band broke.
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