New
New
Year 9

Stretching springs

I can measure extensions of a spring for a good range of stretching forces.

New
New
Year 9

Stretching springs

I can measure extensions of a spring for a good range of stretching forces.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Applying a force to a spring will make it extend (stretch).
  2. A range of masses suspended on a mass holder will produce constant and measurable forces on a spring.
  3. A set square ensures measuring scales are vertical.
  4. Diagrams show how equipment should be set up.

Common misconception

The length of the spring is equal to the extension of the spring.

Focus on the fact that forces cause the length of the spring to change and pupils are measuring the size of that change.

Keywords

  • Extension - The extension of a spring is the change in length.

  • Gravitational force - Masses will have a gravitational force that pulls them downwards.

  • Hanging masses - Hanging masses (weights) can be used to put a known force onto a spring.

  • Mass hanger - A mass hanger can be attached to a spring; adding masses to it causes the spring to stretch in a controlled way.

The key to success in this experiment is the careful set up of the equipment as the procedure is quite simple. Select springs that produce a good extension per N but the total extension should not exceed 30 cm for 6 N.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Somebody slides down a slide. What force is causing them to speed up as they slide?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: gravitational
friction
tension
air resistance
Q2.
Somebody slides down a slide. What two forces are opposing the motion as they slide?
An image in a quiz
gravitational
Correct answer: friction
tension
Correct answer: air resistance
Q3.
Which of the following can a force do to an object?
Correct answer: Make it speed up.
Correct answer: Make it slow down.
Decrease its mass.
Correct answer: Change its shape.
Q4.
Some masses are placed on a balance. Which force acts downwards on the masses?
An image in a quiz
upthrust
friction
Correct answer: gravitational
tension
Q5.
The image shows a newton meter which has a spring inside it. Why is a spring used in the newton meter?
An image in a quiz
The spring stops the hook from moving.
Correct answer: The spring stretches more when there is a larger force on it.
The spring stretches less when there is a larger force on it.
The spring makes the meter strong enough to hold things.
Q6.
The picture shows a steel paperclip on some thread being attracted by a magnet. The paperclip is stationary. Which statements must be true?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: There is an upwards magnetic force acting on the paperclip.
The downwards gravitational force is equal to the upwards magnetic force.
Correct answer: There is downwards force on the paperclip due to tension in the thread.
The tension in the thread is equal to the upwards magnetic force.
Correct answer: The upwards and downwards forces are equal so there is no resultant force.
Q1 UYSEG Q2 UYSEG Q5 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the key words and phrases to their explanation.
Correct Answer:extension,The change in length of an object when a force acts on it.

The change in length of an object when a force acts on it.

Correct Answer:gravitational force,A force that pulls objects downwards due to their mass.

A force that pulls objects downwards due to their mass.

Correct Answer:hanging masses,Metal discs used to produce forces on a spring.

Metal discs used to produce forces on a spring.

Correct Answer:mass hanger,This is used to attach masses to the end of a spring.

This is used to attach masses to the end of a spring.

Q2.
A spring is 10 cm long when there is no force on it. What is its length when it has been extended by 5 cm?
5 cm
10 cm
Correct answer: 15 cm
20 cm
Q3.
Which of these allows the readings from a ruler to be used to measure the extension of a spring directly?
Only use small forces to stretch the spring.
Correct answer: Line up the ruler's zero with the bottom of the unloaded spring.
Line up the ruler's zero with the top of the unloaded spring.
Line up the ruler's zero with the top of the fully loaded spring.
Q4.
The table shows the results of an experiment to find out how a spring extends. How do the results show that the measurements have been made accurately?
An image in a quiz
Only small forces have been used.
Repeat measurements have been made.
The extensions are all below 30 cm.
Correct answer: The loading and unloading measurements match closely.
Q5.
The table shows the results of an experiment to find out how a spring extends. Which statements can be made from the results?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: The force causes the spring to stretch.
Correct answer: The spring gets longer each time 1 N is added.
All springs stretch the same way each time 1 N is added.
Correct answer: One value seems to be an anomaly.
All springs stretch the same amount each time 1 N is added.
Q6.
The table shows how a spring extends. The spring was originally 10 cm long. Use the results to predict the length of the spring when a force of 10 N is acting on the spring.
An image in a quiz
10 cm
15 cm
25 cm
Correct answer: 35 cm
100 cm

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