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.