Finding the Spring Constant in a Vertical Mass-Spring System

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the spring constant (k) in a vertical mass-spring system using the formula F = -kx. The force (F) is identified as the gravitational force, calculated as 9.81 times the mass in kilograms. Participants confirm that while displacement can be used to find k, measuring the time of oscillations is an alternative method, albeit less accurate.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and the formula F = -kx
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational force calculations
  • Familiarity with mass-spring systems in physics
  • Concept of oscillation and its measurement
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the derivation of Hooke's Law and its applications
  • Learn about the relationship between mass, gravity, and spring constant
  • Investigate methods for measuring oscillation periods in mass-spring systems
  • Study the effects of damping on oscillations in spring systems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and oscillatory motion, as well as educators seeking to explain the concepts of spring constants and gravitational forces.

TN17
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Homework Statement



For an experiment, we used a vertical mass-spring system and we are trying to find k, the spring constant.
The only values we know are the mass and the displacement.

If we were to use F = -kx, what would F be? A website said it would be 9.8, but I'm not sure about that.
Is there another way to find the k?
 
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Hi TN17! :smile:
TN17 said:
If we were to use F = -kx, what would F be? A website said it would be 9.8, but I'm not sure about that.

Yes, you're balancing the force of gravity against the force of the spring.

So F has to be the force of gravity, which is 9.81 times the mass in kg. :wink:
Is there another way to find the k?
You could measure time of the oscillations instead of displacement but that probably couldn't be done to the same accuracy.
 

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