Spring Lab Conclusion

Conclusion This lab was very successful in that we were able to observe principles taught in class and work with tangible evidence in order to better understand springs. In the lab we used a gray spring and conducted the experiment using .2, .3, and .4 Kg masses. What we observed was that our results were very precise and within 10% of the expected result so therefore somewhat accurate as well. The given K constant of our gray spring was originally 20 when it was brand new. With a .2Kg mass, we measured a K constant of 18.125, for a .300Kg—18.5, and for .4Kg—17.9. There are a few valid reasons that may have caused our results to be flawed and not closer to the expected. First, the system to which the spring and weight was hanging was comparatively flimsy. Better results would have been more likely if a more stationary structure was used like a steel beem. Another possible explanation could be that the spring has been abused or over-worked resulting in a distorted K constant. The biggest lesson that our group took away from this lab is actually witnessing and working with springs by applying what we have learned into practice. This is a very valuable way to learn.