Determining the Spring Constant

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m = kg 

  
A spring is suspended from the ceiling, as shown. The display grid is in meters. Vary the mass attached to the spring, and determine the spring constant. 

Hints

  1. How much mass must you add to stretch the spring by one meter?
  2. How much force does a hanging mass exert on the spring?

Reference

See Serway and Beichner, Physics For Scientists and Engineers 5th Edition, Example 7.6

Illustration written by Steve Mellema