3-FAM-02

Outcomes

• Students are to recall W = mg and use it to find the weight for a range of masses
• To estimate the weight of an unknown mass and use their forcemeter to measure the weight
• To plot a force extension graph for their spring and explore proportionality.
• Use a force extension graph to find the weight of on unknown mass
• To evaluate their force meter design

Specification References

• none

Main Body of Lesson

Building your own force meter

Part A: Construction

• Students are to make their own force meter using acetate sheets and steel springs.

Part B: Calibrating

• They are to use the W = m g formula from 3-TAS-01 and mark the scale on their force meter with set weights.

Part C:Measuring forces using thier force meter

• They can test their force meters by measuring the weight of various objects A,B and C of unknown mass.

Part D: Plotting a graph of Force vs. extension

• Students are to hang masses (again!!)on their force meter and measure the length of the spring.
• They are to record their results in a table
• Then plot a force vs. extension graph
• Lastly they hang the three original unknown masses on their force meter, measure the length of the spring, find the extension and use their graph to determine its weight.

Homework

• There are questions on the 'Building your own forcemeter' sheet

Additional Information

Textbook References

• None

Website References

• None

Skills Addressed

• Obtaining
• Analysing
• Evaluating

Notes

• None