Hooke’s Law applied to a meter stick

Observations
Mass 0 200 400 600 800 1000
attached,
m (g)
Height 93 89.5 86.2 82.5 79.5 76.3
from floor
(cm)
Vertical 0 3.5 6.8 10.5 13.5 16.7
depression,
v (cm)

Analysis

Correlation between vertical depression and mass

18
16
Vertical depression (cm)

14
Slope = Rise/ Run
12
10 = 16.7/1000
8
= 0.0167
6
4
2
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Mass (g)

5. The graph produced is a straight line, this suggests that vertical depression is directly
proportional to mass.
6. Using interpolation, the estimated vertical depression with mass 850 g is 14.32 cm. This
graphical procedure is called interpolation.
𝑦2 −𝑦1
7. using rise/run find the slope 𝑥2 −𝑥1

Slope is 16.7/1000
= 0.0167
Then substitute another point to find the y intercept
Using the point (200,3.5)
3.5=0.0167(200) + b
b= 0.16
Thus, equation of the line is y= 0.0167x + 0.16
8. Using the equation substitute 850 for the value of x
y= 0.0167x + 0.16
= 0.0167 (850) +0.16
= 14.355 cm
9. The values are rather similar, 14.2 obtained from interpolation and 14.355 obtained from the
equation. The value obtained from the equation is more accurate because it is found using
mathematical tools, while the value obtained from the graph is based entirely on estimation and
observation.
10. convert kg to g and substitute the 5.5 kg into the value of x
5.5 x 1000 = 5500 grams
y=0.0167x+ 0.16
= 0.0167(5500) + 0.16
= 92.01 cm
• You would be required to use extrapolation because this value is beyond the scope of the
line of best fit
• No, the answer is not valid, because we are unsure if the equation is applicable past 1 kg
since we only experimentally tested it for masses up to 1kg. It is possible that the ruler
may be unable to withstand certain masses.
Conclusion
The vertical depression of the free end of a meter stick is directly proportional to the mass
attached. The qualitative sources of error include, measurement errors, for example, when
measuring the height of the ruler from the floor, it is also evident that the line of best fit is not
entirely accurate but is rather an estimation which suggests it may be a source of error in this
experiment/ when creating an equation, the interpolation and extrapolation using the graph may
have also led to error because such values are not exact.