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Tom C

Examples of the Force

One Example of elasticity is Hooke's Law. Hooke's Law states that the force acted upon the elastic band (or spring) is proportional to its distance and a certain constant. F=-kx. The K is the spring constant which every spring or elastic band has. When we first measure the elastic band, it had a constant. Once the elastic limit was reached, and the elastic band had a new constant. If we look at the Force vs. distance graph (weight vs. elongation). Elongation is delta L or the difference between the two different mearsurements. When we look at this graph, it is proportial and the slope of the line is the spring constant! By looking at the slope with the data we have, we can approximate the spring constant for out rubberband.

When we look at this picture, it shows a spring attached to a weight. This weight is the force acting upon the spring. The spring could also be a rubber band which is what we used. Once the Force was added the the spring, it went a certain distance, x. To find the constant, we can use the equation F=-kx to find the constat. The force is proportional to the distance, so if we added twice the force, then twice the distance.