Next we had a look at the large items around the house like sofas and beds and bounced about to test the springs. Next we found some shock absorbing springs on the car.
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| Looking for springs on the car |
We discussed the 2 main types of springs, compression and tension springs, and investigated each type.
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| Stretching a tension spring |
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| Squashing a compression spring |
Then it was time to find more springs in objects around the house and take some of them apart.
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| Watching springs compress in the hole punch |
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| Taking apart a pen and finding the spring |
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| Taking apart the weigh meter |
We talked about the elastic limit and demonstrated with a weak spring what happens when you pull it too much - it doesn't return to shape. We then conducted an experiment to see how a springs length changes with the amount of force applied to it. This involved counting weights and measuring. We soon passed its elastic limit.
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| Weights hanging off a (now unspringy) spring |
R used the data from the experiment to make this graph in excel. Can you spot the elastic limit?
Finally for a bit of fun we made some springy bird mobiles. The birds flap and bounce when they are pulled downwards.
Next we'll be looking at gears, wheels, leavers and more....
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