Why Should the Line of Best Fit for a Spring Constant Lab Pass Through (0,0)?

AI Thread Summary
In the spring constant lab, students measured the displacement of a hanging spring with added weights and created a linear graph to find the slope. The instructor questioned whether the line of best fit should pass through the origin (0,0) and prompted a discussion on the implications of this. According to Hooke's Law, the relationship between force and displacement is linear, suggesting that the line should ideally pass through the origin if no initial force is applied. However, some students argued that it may not make sense for the line to pass through (0,0) due to potential factors like spring preload or measurement errors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the theoretical underpinnings of the graph in relation to physical principles.
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Homework Statement


we did a spring constant lab in school, we took a hanging spring and added weights to it, measuring displacement with each new weight. we were then instructed to create a graph and find the slope. i did that. then we were instructed to find the line of best fit. my line was linear. then the instructor as asked us a question about the graph: does it make sense that your line of best fit for your data pass through (0,0)? why or why not??


Homework Equations


hookes law

The Attempt at a Solution


well i think it doesn't make sense to pass through the origin, but I am not sure why
 
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Well, since you have a graph drawn out. And you obtained a straight line, the relationship between the 2 variable must be Y=mX+C.

What is your Y, m,X and C?

Does it look like certain formula you have seen before?

delzac
 

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