Solve Home Lab Questions: Slope & y-Intercept, Hooke's Law

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a home lab experiment involving the relationship between the stretch of a rubber band and the weight of coins attached to it, specifically focusing on calculating the slope and y-intercept of the linear equation derived from the data. The slope (m) represents the spring constant (k) in Hooke's Law, while the y-intercept (b) should ideally be close to zero. Participants emphasized the importance of using linear regression techniques, either through Excel or online tools, to accurately determine these values and their uncertainties (Δk). The standard deviation of the slope from the regression output provides the uncertainty in the spring constant.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and its mathematical representation (F = kx)
  • Familiarity with linear regression analysis and its application in data fitting
  • Basic knowledge of graphing techniques and interpretation of slope and intercept
  • Proficiency in using Excel or online regression tools for data analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to perform linear regression in Excel, including interpreting slope and intercept values
  • Explore online regression calculators for quick analysis of experimental data
  • Study the concept of standard deviation and its application in determining uncertainty in measurements
  • Investigate further applications of Hooke's Law in real-world scenarios, such as material science
USEFUL FOR

Students conducting physics experiments, educators teaching concepts of elasticity and linear relationships, and anyone interested in applying statistical analysis to experimental data.

Vibu212
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Ok I got couple of home labs to do...but in few of them i m stuk at the end. Plz answer any question that you know of.

1. In this home lab, I did an experiment about strech (of a rubber band) vs weight (of coins attached to it). Then plotted a graph and found slope and y int as the question requested. However, the question ends like this...

...find the slope and y intercept. These values can be used to represent the uncertainities (delta)m, and (delta)b in y = mx + b. By comparing the best fit leanear equation (which is y = mx + b) to the predictions of Hooke's law, find

k +/1 (delta)k

- Now, it somewat seems easy to me, but no matter how many times i use the table (that i used for graphing) I just couldn't find the solution. Even after using equations such as F = kx or KE = 1/2mx(square). Any help is appriciated.
 
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Im assuming that says

k\ \ plus \ or \ minus \ \ \Delta k

Also

KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2

But for the question, if you know how to do curve fits curves in excel (linear fit), just do that and find a regression value, which will tell you how well the curve fits (your data's relative error to the theoretical value).
 
You should have a table with two columns of values: one is your force measurement, F, and the other is your displacement measurement, x, where x=0 when there are no coins attached. Therefore you are fitting F = kx + b. Your fit should give you b=0 within one or two standard deviations of the fit error for b. k and its error should also come out of the fit as the previous poster mentioned.
 
Vibu212 said:
Ok I got couple of home labs to do...but in few of them i m stuk at the end. Plz answer any question that you know of.

1. In this home lab, I did an experiment about strech (of a rubber band) vs weight (of coins attached to it). Then plotted a graph and found slope and y int as the question requested. However, the question ends like this...

...find the slope and y intercept. These values can be used to represent the uncertainities (delta)m, and (delta)b in y = mx + b. By comparing the best fit leanear equation (which is y = mx + b) to the predictions of Hooke's law, find

k +/1 (delta)k

- Now, it somewat seems easy to me, but no matter how many times i use the table (that i used for graphing) I just couldn't find the solution. Even after using equations such as F = kx or KE = 1/2mx(square). Any help is appriciated.
If you have no regression software available, the Web Site below computes Linear Regression Slope and Intercept with corresponding error values for each. Scroll down page to use, input (x,y) data into individual boxes provided, type "0.95" for "confidence level", and click "calculate". Computed values are displayed in boxes below the "calculate" button.
http://home.ubalt.edu/ntsbarsh/Business-stat/otherapplets/Regression.htm


~~
 
Last edited:
http://img75.echo.cx/img75/1497/untitled5rm.png


actually I do have a software...and this is the graph and this is what i get by doing a linear fit. How which value is related to k? how is it determined (so that i can find delta k too)

ty for those who answered :p
 
Vibu212 said:
http://img75.echo.cx/img75/1497/untitled5rm.png


actually I do have a software...and this is the graph and this is what i get by doing a linear fit. How which value is related to k? how is it determined (so that i can find delta k too)

ty for those who answered :p
The value of slope "m" corresponds to the value of "k". You are essentially fitting {F = k*x + b}, where "k" is the slope, "x" the displacement, and "b" the intercept ("b" should be close to 0). The value of {"Std Dev of Slope"} given by the regression corresponds to the "uncertainty Δk" in "k" which the lab exercise required.
k = Slope "m"
Δk = {"Std Dev of Slope"}

~~
 
Last edited:
THANK YOU for explaining the usefulness of the linear fit! You all are very helpfull :smile:
 

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