Investigating a Spring Clip
There are many ways to use potential energy. A spring clip is a device used to hold weights on a barbell. The spring clip stores energy when you compress it. In this lab, you will determine how the distance you compress a spring clip is related to the force you apply and to the spring's potential energy.
Problem How does the force you apply to a spring clip affect its elastic potential energy?
Materials
clamp
spring clip
masking tape
metric ruler
50-newton spring scale
graph paper
For the probeware version of this lab, see the Probeware Lab Manual, Lab 6.
Skills Measuring, Using Tables and Graphs
Procedure
Make a data table with three columns. Label the columns Force (N), Position of Handle (cm), and Total Distance Moved (cm).
Using the clamp, firmly attach one handle of the spring clip to a tabletop, with the other handle facing up and away from the table as shown. CAUTION Be careful not to pinch your fingers with the clamp or spring clip.
Remove the plastic cover from the upper handle of the spring clip. Hook the spring scale to the spring clip handle as shown and use masking tape to secure it. Have your teacher check your setup for safety before proceeding.
Have a classmate hold the ruler next to the spring clip as shown. Record the starting position of the handle. (The reading on the spring scale should be zero.)
Slowly pull the spring scale down at a right angle to the upper handle until the upper handle moves 0.1 cm. Record the force and the position of the upper handle. Slowly release the scale back to the starting position.
Repeat Step 5, this time pulling the handle 0.2 cm from the starting position.
Repeat Step 5 a few more times, pulling the handle 0.1 cm farther each time. Continue until the spring scale reaches its maximum force.
Calculate the total distance the handle moved each time you pulled it and record these values in your data table. Graph your data. Place distance on the horizontal axis and force on the vertical axis.
Analyze and Conclude
Using Graphs What is the approximate relationship between the total distance you compressed the spring clip and the force you applied to it?
Classifying What type of energy transfer did you use to compress the spring clip? What type of energy did the spring clip gain when it was compressed?
Drawing Conclusions What relationship exists between the distance the spring clip was compressed and its potential energy? (Hint: The elastic potential energy of the spring clip equals the work done on it.)