Investigating Wood Expansion & Contraction w/ Strain Gauge

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics coursework assignment focused on investigating the expansion and contraction of wood in response to temperature and humidity changes, utilizing a strain gauge. Participants are exploring how to effectively set up an experiment to measure the resistance changes of the strain gauge attached to wood.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are considering the objectives of the investigation, such as what specific relationships they want to graph. Questions about the functionality and application of the strain gauge are raised, including its placement on the wood and the nature of the measurements it provides. There is also discussion about methods for changing the wood's temperature and the appropriate adhesive for attaching the gauge.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on materials and methods. Some have suggested using epoxy resin as an adhesive and an incubator for heating the wood. However, there is no explicit consensus on the best approach or materials, indicating that multiple interpretations and strategies are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints such as the availability of equipment like incubators in school settings and the need for a structured plan for the experiment. There is also a focus on the properties of materials being used, such as the adhesive's behavior under temperature changes.

Hipgirl90
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi i have just been given my physics coursework and wondered if anyone had any pointers or tips on how to answer?

The question is on the expansion and contraction of wood with changes in temperature and humidity using a strain gauge.

We have to explain how we would use lab equipment to investigate how the resistance of a strain gauge attached to a piece of wood varies with the temperature of the wood.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
We have to explain how we would use lab equipment to investigate how the resistance of a strain gauge attached to a piece of wood varies with the temperature of the wood.

Welcome to PF, Hipgirl90. Some questions you can think about:
  1. What do you want to find out? For example "I want to be able to draw a graph of temperature vs. ..."
  2. How does the strain gauge work?
  3. Where / how do you attach it? Does it matter how you apply the strain gauge? For example, whether you put it along the block of wood, or across it?
  4. What does the strain gauge measure, and if that is not what you eventually want, how can you convert the answers (do you have a formula? do you need to gauge it?)?
  5. Is the purpose to try and find a formula (e.g. one that describes the graph in point 1), or do you already have such a formula you want to compare it to?
 
i got a question.
how to change the temperature of the wood. is Heating better or cooling and also what might be the best gule to stick the gauge to the wood?
 
yeah i got the same exam paper >_<
lol.

im using epoxy raisin as a glue cz i think its very sticky and i guess it will expand and contract...

and I am using silica gel to...soak up humidity xD

iv don e reserches and stuffs but i still dno how to structure the plan >_<
GAH!get back to me quick please x)
 
i am using the same glue and have found out that an incubator is good for heating the wood.
still need to draw a sketch and plan it all out:)
 
incubator? how the hell are you going to find that in a school lol.....
 
it can be found in biology lab
sort of oven or something
 

Similar threads

Investigating Wood Expansion/Contraction with Strain Gauges
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
9K
OCR Physics AS Level - Strain gauge, temperature, resistance
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Is strain uniform in a material?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Graduate Cosmic Tidal Force: Measuring CTF With Strain Gauge
  • · Replies 61 ·
3
Replies
61
Views
5K
Quarter- bridge strain gauge circuit
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
12K
Undergrad Does the resistance of strain gauge increase when temperature increases?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
Mohr's Circle and Strain Gauges
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Graduate Thermal expansion/contraction of lens
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
(-Planning Exercise - Strain gauge Coursework Help -)
  • · Replies 118 ·
4
Replies
118
Views
23K
Can Graphite Be Used as a Vibration Sensor?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K