Sci-box_Spring-time

			Spring-time


		What effect does it have on a spring to add different masses?

		Be careful not to trap your fingers in the coils of the spring as it returns to normal after being stretched.

PLAN	Obtain a spring. Fix it somewhere. Add different masses. Measure how much they stretch the spring.			I WILL NEED	A spring. Various known masses (weights). Metre rule (or similar). Paper and pencil.
				I MAY NEED	More than one spring. Graph-paper.
				FAIR TEST	How will you ensure that this is a "fair test"?

	PREDICTION	What do you think might happen? Will a larger mass (heavier weight) stretch the spring more than a smaller mass? Can you guess how much more?

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY	What sort of spring did you use? Where did you fix the spring? How did you attach the weights. How did you measure the amount of stretch? You could repeat the investigation with different springs.			COLLECT DATA	Keep a table showing the amount of stretch for each mass (weight).
				ANALYSE DATA	It could be interesting to draw a graph.
				PRESENT FINDINGS	What is the best way to show what you did? Could you take some photographs? What is the best way to explain what you discovered?

	EVALUATE INVESTIGATION	Do you think your measuring was accurate as it could have been?

	If you have carried out this investigation, click the icon to send in your results to Brainboxx and we may publish your work on the website. It is best to e-mail the results of your investigation or you may need to send them by post. Make sure you get permission from a teacher, parent or other adult before you get in touch.
			Spring