Why Is Applied Force Plotted on the Vertical Axis in Spring Graphs?

In summary, an ideal spring is a theoretical concept in physics that is massless, frictionless, and perfectly elastic. A real spring, on the other hand, has mass, experiences friction, and is not perfectly elastic. To graph an ideal spring, the displacement is plotted on the x-axis and the force on the y-axis, resulting in a straight line with a slope equal to the spring constant. To graph a real spring, data is collected and a best-fit line is determined. The behavior of a real spring is affected by factors such as material, size, and applied force, as well as external factors like temperature and wear and tear.
  • #1
Kevin_14
1
0
Does anyone have any idea why applied force is plotted on the vertical axis of the graph even though it is an independant variable?
 
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  • #2
Likely so that the slope is k. F=-kx
 
  • #3
In 99% of the springs you'll see, the applied force (which is equivalent to the force supplied by the spring) is a function of spring deflection. It is not an independent variable. It is totally dependent on deflection.
 
  • #4
denverdoc said:
Likely so that the slope is k. F=-kx
...and the area under the curve is the work done.
 

FAQ: Why Is Applied Force Plotted on the Vertical Axis in Spring Graphs?

What is an ideal spring?

An ideal spring is a theoretical concept in physics that represents a massless, frictionless, and perfectly elastic spring. It follows Hooke's law, which states that the force exerted by an ideal spring is directly proportional to the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position.

What is a real spring?

A real spring is a physical object that is used in many mechanical systems. Unlike an ideal spring, it has mass, experiences friction, and is not perfectly elastic. This means that it deviates from Hooke's law and may not return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.

How do you graph an ideal spring?

To graph an ideal spring, you need to plot the displacement of the spring on the x-axis and the corresponding force on the y-axis. The resulting graph should be a straight line passing through the origin, with a slope equal to the spring constant (k).

How do you graph a real spring?

To graph a real spring, you need to conduct an experiment to determine the relationship between the displacement and force applied to the spring. Once you have collected the data, you can plot it on a graph and determine the best-fit line. This line represents the relationship between displacement and force for the real spring.

What factors affect the behavior of a real spring?

The behavior of a real spring is affected by several factors, including the material of the spring, the diameter and length of the spring, the number of coils, and the applied force. Other factors such as temperature, humidity, and wear and tear can also affect the performance of a real spring.

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