THE PSBB MILLENNIUM SCHOOL, COIMBATORE.

EXPT 5. HELICAL SPRING-SPRING CONSTANT

AIM

To find the force constant of a helical spring by plotting a graph between load and
extension.

Materials required

 A spring
 A rigid support
 Weight hanger
 50g or 20 g slotted weights
 A vertical wooden scale
 A fine pointer

THEORY:

The helical spring, is the most commonly used mechanical spring in which a wire
is wrapped in a coil that resembles a screw thread. It can be designed to carry, pull,
or push loads.
Helical spring works on the principle of Hooke’s Law. Hooke’s Law states that within
the limit of elasticity, stress applied is directly proportional to the strain produced.

FORMULA USED:

EXTENSION METHOD
When a load ‘F’ is attached to the free end of a spring, then the spring elongates
through a distance ‘l’.Here ‘l’ is known as the extension produced. According to
Hooke’s Law, extension is directly proportional to the load.

where ‘k’ is constant of proportionality. It is called the force constant or the spring
constant of the spring.

DIAGRAM
PROCEDURE

EXTENSION METHOD

1. The helical spring is suspended vertically from a rigid support.A pointer is

attached horizontally at the free end of the spring.
2. A metre scale is kept vertically in such a way that the tip of the pointer is over
the divisions of the scale, but does not touch the scale.
3. A dead weight, w0 gwt is suspended by the weight hanger to keep the spring
vertical. The reading of the pointer on the metre scale is noted.
4. Now, gently add a suitable load of 50 g slotted weights to the hanger and the
reading of the pointer is noted.
5. The weights are added one by one till the maximum load is reached. In each
case, the reading of the pointer is noted.
6. The weights are then removed one by one and the reading of the pointer is
noted in each case of unloading.
7. In each case, k =mg/l is calculated. The average value of k gives the spring
constant in N/m.
8. A graph is drawn with load M in kg wt along X axis and extension, l in metre
along the Y axis. The graph is a straight line. The reciprocal of the slope of the
graph is determined. It gives spring constant in kg wt/m. The spring constant in
N/m is obtained by multiplying this with g=9.8 m/s2.

Observations:
EXTENSION METHOD:

Reading of position of pointer tip

Mass Extension
suspended Loadin Mean,
l (for 50g)
S: No Unloading
(grams) g
Y(cm) 10-2 (m)
X(cm) (cm)

Dead
1
load(W0)

2 (W0+50)

3 (W0+100)

4 (W0+150)

5 (W0+200)

6 (W0+250)

7 (W0+300)

Mean l =…………m.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Loading and unloading of weight must be done gently.
2. Reading should be noted only when tip of pointer comes to rest.
3. Pointer tip should not touch the scale surface.
4. Loading should not be beyond elastic limit.
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The support may not be rigid.
2. The slotted weights may not have correct weight.
Result:
The force constant of the given spring = .............N/m.
From load-extension graph, the force constant of the given spring =……….N/m

EXPT NO.6 VISCOSITY

 AIM:

To determine the coefficient of viscosity of a given viscous liquid by measuring terminal

velocity of a given spherical body.

THEORY

Viscosity is the property of a fluid by virtue of which an internal resistance comes into
play when the liquid is in motion, and opposes the relative motion between its different
layers. Thus, it is the resistance of a fluid to flow.
When liquid flows over flat surface, a backward viscous force acts tangentially to every
layer. This force depends upon the area of the layer, velocity of the layer, and the
distance of the layer from the surface.

Where η is the coefficient of viscosity of the liquid.

= velocity gradient; A= area of the layer

Stoke’s Law

When a spherical body moves down through an infinite column of highly viscous liquid,
it drags the layer of the liquid in contact with it. As a result, the body experiences a
retarding force.
Then according to Stokes law, the viscous drag force,

where, r - Radius of the spherical body: v - Velocity of the spherical body

It gives the relationship between retarding force and velocity. When viscous force plus
buoyant force becomes equal to force due to gravity, the net force becomes zero. The
sphere then descends with a constant terminal velocity (v t).

FORMULA

where ρ - Density of the liquid = ---------------kg/m3.

, σ - Density of the spherical body (STEEL) = 7750 kg/m3
r - Radius of the spherical body(m)
v - Velocity of the spherical body (m/s)
η - coefficient of viscosity of the liquid.( Ns. m-2 or Pa. s, )
 DIAGRAM: MODEL GRAPH

Procedure

1. Clean the glass jar and fill it with transparent viscous liquid.
2. The vertical scale along the height of the jar must be clearly visible to note the
least count.
3. Check the tight spring of the stopwatch and also record the least count and
zero error.
4. Record the least count and zero error of the screw gauge.
5. Determine the radius of the ball.
6. Gently drop the ball in the liquid. Initially, the ball falls with an accelerated
velocity until it reaches one-third height of the liquid. Then it falls with uniform
terminal velocity.
7. As the ball reaches some convenient division, start the stopwatch to note its
fall.
8. As the ball reaches the convenient lowest division, stop the stopwatch.
9. Record the time taken by the ball.
10. Repeat steps 6 to 9 twice for more readings.
11. Record the temperature of the liquid.
12. Record the observations.
13. Plot a graph between r2 and v.

OBSERVATIONS;

To find the diameter of the sphere using screw gauge:

Pitch of the screw gauge = .......... mm

Number of divisions on the circular scale = ...........
Least count of the screw gauge (L.C.) =............ mm
Zero error of the screw gauge (ze) = …….... mm:; Zero correction of the screw
gauge (zc) = …….. mm:
 Total reading = Radius of the
No. of Observed Corrected Corrected
P.S.R. P.S.R.+(Corrected glass
steel H.S.R. (a) H.S.R. H.S.R.×L.C.
(mm) H.S.R.×L.C.) (d) ball, r=d/2
balls. (div.) (a+zc) (div) (mm)
(mm) (×10-3 m)

To find the terminal velocity of the sphere :

Density of the liquid, ρ = ………..kg/m3

Density of the sphere, σ = ……….kg/m 3
Distance travelled by the sphere, s = ………. 10-2 m

Steel Radius of steel Time taken to r2/ v

Velocity, v'
sphere sphere, travel the (m
= s/t (m/s)
No. r (×10-3 m) distance s, t (s) s)

Precautions

1. To watch the motion the liquid used must be transparent

2. The perfectly spherical ball should be used
3. Velocity should be noted only when it is constant

Sources Of Error

1. The density of the liquid used may be non-uniform

2. The ball used might not be perfectly spherical
3. Velocity noted might not be constant
Result

The coefficient of viscosity of the given liquid, η = .................Nsm-2

EXPT 7 SONOMETER
AIM

To study the relation between length of a given wire and tension for constant
frequency using sonometer.

Materials Required

 A sonometer
 A tuning fork of constant known frequency
 0.5kg weight hanger
 Some 0.5kg slotted weights
 Rubber pad
 Paper rider

Theory

Sonometer consists of a hollow rectangular wooden box of more than one meter
length, with a hook at one end and a pulley at the other end. One end of a string is
fixed at the hook and the other end passes over the pulley. A weight hanger is
attached to the free end of the string. Two adjustable wooden bridges are put over
the board, so that the length of string can be adjusted.

Production of transverse waves in stretched strings

If a string which is stretched between two fixed points is plucked at its center, vibrations
produced and it move out in opposite directions along the string. Because of this, a
transverse wave travels along the string.:

Law of transverse vibrations on a stretched string

 Law of Tension:The frequency of vibration of a stretched string varies directly

as the square root of its tension, (provided its resonating length and mass per
unit length of the wire remains constant).

Relation between length and tension

From the equation for frequency, √T / L = constant

FORMULA
If a string of length l having mass per unit length m is stretched with a tension T, the
fundamental frequency of vibration F in Hertz is given by;

MODEL GRAPH
DIAGRAM:

Procedure

To find the relation between Tension and length

 Place the sonometer on the table.

 Make sure that the pulley is frictionless. If you feel any friction, oil them.
 Stretch the wire by placing a suitable maximum load on the weight hanger.
 Move the wooden bridges outward, so that the length of wire between the
bridges is maximum.
 Put an inverted V shaped paper rider on the middle of the wire.
 Vibrate the tuning fork and touch the lower end of its handle with sonometer
board. The wire vibrates due to resonance and the paper rider falls.
 Measure the length of wire between the bridges using a meter scale. It is the
resonant length and record it in the ‘length decreasing’ column.
 Now, bring the bridges closer and then slowly increase the length of the wire till
the paper rider falls.
 Measure the length of wire and record it in ‘length increasing’ column.
 Increase the load by 0.5kg and repeat the above step and tabulate the
resonating length.

OBSERVATION TABLE

To find the relation between length and tension

 Resonant length of wire

Load, M Tension, L2 T/ L2
Sl No. Length Length Mean
(kg) T=Mg (N)
increasing L1 decreasing (cm2) (N /cm2 )
L = (L1+L2) /
(cm) L2 (cm) 2

Mean, T/ l2 =..................

SOURCES OF ERROR:

1.Wire may not be rigid and of uniform cross-sectional area.

2.Pulley may not be frictionless.
3.Weights may not be correct.
4. Knife edges (bridges) may not be sharp.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Length should be noted when the amplitude of vibration is maximum.

RESULT
The graph between square of length and tension is a straight line, which shows that
tension is directly proportional to square of resonant length.

EXPT 8 RESONANCE (Speed of Sound in Air)

AIM
The aim is to find the speed of sound in air at room temperature using a
resonance tube by two resonance positions

MATERIALS REQUIRED

 Resonance tube
 Two-timing forks having frequencies that are known (for example, 512Hz
and 480Hz)
 Rubber pad
 Thermometer
 Set squares
 Water contained in a beaker
  Plumb line

THEORY

Let 𝒍𝟏 and 𝒍𝟐 be the length of the air column for the first and the second
resonance respectively with a tuning fork of frequency 𝝂.
Then, 𝝀 = 2(𝒍𝟐 − 𝒍𝟏 )
The speed, 𝑽 = 𝒗𝝀 (𝒗 =frequency ; 𝝀 = Wavelength)
Or V=2 𝝂 (𝒍𝟐 − 𝒍𝟏 ), which can be calculated

DIAGRAM:

Procedure:
 Make the base horizontal by the levelling screws. Following this, keep the
resonance tubes vertical.
 Next, in the uppermost position, fix the reservoir R.
 Make the pinchcock lose. Fill water from the beaker in the reservoir and
metallic tube.
 Fix the reservoir in the lowest position, by lowering the reservoir and
tightening the pinchcock.
 Next, use a tuning fork of higher frequency to experiment.
 Vibrate this tuning fork with the help of a rubber pad. Just over the end of
the metallic tube, hold the vibrating tongs in a vertical plane.
 Next, loosen the pinchcock a bit to allow the water to fall into the metallic
tube. When you hear the sound from the metallic tube, lose the pinchcock
a bit.
 Repeat the above step till you hear the sound with maximum loudness
from the metallic tube.
 By using the set square, against the meter scale, measure the position of
the water level.
 Decrease the water level by 1 cm. And then tighten the pinchcock.
  Again, repeat the above step till maximum loudness is heard.
 After this, repeat the steps with a tuning fork of lower frequency.

OBSERVATION:

Determination of length of the resonant air columns

CALCULATION

PRECAUTIONS

1. The resonance tube should be kept vertical using the levelling screws.

2. The experiment should be performed in a quiet atmosphere so that the

resonance positions may be identified properly.

3. Striking of tuning fork on rubber pad must be done very gently.

4. The lowering and raising of water level in the resonance tube should be
done very slowly.

Sources of error

1.Resonance tube must be of uniform area of cross-section.

2. There must be no wind blowing in the room

Result:

The speed of air at room temperature is ____ m/s.

ACTIVITY:4
To Study the Effect of Load on Depression of a Suitably Clamped
Metre Scale Loaded at its end
Aim
To study the effect of load on depression of a suitably clamped metre scale loaded at
its end.
Apparatus
A uniform straight wooden metre rod (scale). Two G clamp, pointer pin, thread, slotted
weights of 50 g each, wax, vertical scale, clamp stand.

DIAGRAM

Graph
Plot a graph between load and depression by taking load on X-axis and depression
on Y- axis for both of cases. In both the cases, graphs come to be a straight line as
shown below.
Procedure
(i) When metre scale is loaded at its end :
1. Clamp the metre scale firmly with G clamp at its one edge on the corner of table
such that metre scale remains straight in horizontal plane.
2. The pointer pin or needle should be attached at free end of metre scale with wax.
3. Fix the scale on a stand vertically to take the reading.
4. Note the initial reading on vertical scale corresponding to the tip of the pointer
when no weights is suspended.
5. Suspend the weights in steps at free end of metre scale with the help of a strong
thread and note the corresponding readings on the vertical scale.
6. After taking 5-6 reading, start unloading the weights one by one and again note
the reading on scale.
Observations
1. Initial reading of pointer on vertical scale without loading at free end = x0 =……..cm

.Result
The graph between load and depression are straight lines, which gives that
depression is directly proportion to the load.
ACTIVITY:5
To Study the Effect of Detergent on Surface Tension of Water by
Observing Capillary Rise
Aim
To study the effect of detergent on surface tension of water by observing capillary
rise.
Apparatus
A capillary tube, tipped pointer clamped in a metallic plate with a handle, travelling
microscope, clamp and stand, a flat bottom open dish, clean water in a beaker,
thermometer.
Theory
A detergent when added to distilled water reduces surface tension of water. If we
use same capillary tube to study the rise of pure distilled water and then the rise of
detergent mixed water (solution), we shall find that the rise will be less in case of
solution. If quantity of detergent (solution concentration) is increased, rise will be still
lesser.

Procedure
(a) Setting the apparatus
1. Place the adjustable height stand on the table and make its base horizontal by
levelling screws.
2. Take dirt and grease free water in an open dish with flat bottom and put it on the
top of the stand.
3. Clean and dry them, clamp the capillary tube in a metallic plate. Also clamp a
pointer.
4. Clamp the horizontal handle of the metallic plate in a vertical stand, so that the
capillary tube and the pointer become vertical.
5. So adjust the height of metallic plate that the capillary tube dip in water in open
dish.
6. Adjust the position of the pointer, such that its tip just touches the water surface.

(b) Measurement of capillary rise

1.Insert the capillary tube as shown in the figure.
2..Bring the microscope in front of the capillary tube.

3.Make the horizontal cross wire just touch the central part of the concave meniscus
seen convex through microscope.
4.Note the reading of the position of the microscope on the vertical scale.

5. Lower the stand so that pointer tip becomes visible.

6. Move the microscope horizontally and bring it in front of the pointer and note the
reading
Observation

I) HEIGHT OF WATER

II) HEIGHT OF DETERGENT WATER

Result
The rise in capillary tube decreases with addition of detergent in pure water.
With more addition of detergent, rise becomes lesser and lesser.
The detergent reduces the surface tension of water.

ACTIVITY:6 MELTING POINT OF WAX

Aim:

To determine the melting point of wax using cooling curve.

Principle:

The determination of melting point is based on latent heat which is the amount
of heat required to change a unit mass (1gm) of a substance from one state to
another state without changing its temperature.

Materials Required:

Beaker, burner, thermometer, boiling tube, retort stand and clamp, wire gauze,
tripod stand, candle wax, stop watch, bowl of sand.

Procedure:

 Melt the wax in a warm water bath.

 When the wax is melted entirely, remove it from the bath, dry it and then
bury it in sand.

 Record the temperature each 30 seconds while the liquid is being converted
to solid.

 At the same time watch for constant temperature at which liquid and solid
are present. Melting point of wax= Constant Temperature over a period of time
RESULT:

The melting point of wax is determined and the graph is plotted.