Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Elastic and plastic behaviour
Elastic and plastic behaviour — practice question
A spring is suspended vertically from point $P$, as illustrated in Fig. 4.1. A mass $M$ is fixed to the lower end of the spring. The metre rule reading $x$ is recorded, as shown in Fig. 4.1. Figure 4.2 displays how $x$ varies with $M$.
(a)[2]
Explain how the apparatus shown in Fig. 4.1 can be used to find the load on the spring at the elastic limit.
(b)[2]
State and explain whether Fig. 4.2 indicates that the spring obeys Hooke’s law.
(c)[3]
Use Fig. 4.2 to determine the spring constant of the spring, in $\text{N m}^{-1}$.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 7-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Add a small mass and then remove it to check whether the extension returns to its original length” …