Question

Parallel

Table 4 and graph 4 ( Applied Force on the vertical axis versus displacement on the horizontal axis for the data collected)

Top Spring Constant = 200 N/m, Bottom Spring Constant = 200 N/m

Applied Force (N)	Top Spring Force (N)	Bottom Spring Force (N)	Displacement (m)
20	-10	-10	0.05
50	-25	-25	0.125
100	-50	-50	0.250
-50	25	25	-0.125

Series

Table 5 and graph 5(Applied Force on the vertical axis versus displacement on the horizontal axis for the data collected)

Left Spring Constant = 200 N/m, Right Spring Constant = 200 N/m

Applied Force (N)	Left Spring Force (N)	Right Spring Force on Applied Force (N)	Right Spring Force on Left Spring(N)	Displacement (m)
20	-20	-20	20	0.200
50	-50	-50	50	0.500
100	-97	-97	97	0.970
-50	50	50	-50	-0.500

Compare the effective spring constants calculated in Data Table 4 and Data Table 5 and the spring constants derived from the graphs in Graph 4 and Graph 5. Which method gives more reliable results and why?

Answer 1

By using excel calculate the average values of force and displacements: