Year 9 - Science
Stretching springs
Hidden forces
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores forces, deformation, Hooke's Law, moments, and work done. It covers pressure in liquids, atmospheric pressure, upthrust, and equilibrium, as well as simple machines and force-extension relationships, highlighting how forces affect motion, friction, and object deformation.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to measure extensions of a spring for a good range of stretching forces.
Key Notes
- Applying a force to a spring will make it extend (stretch).
- A range of masses suspended on a mass holder will produce constant and measurable forces on a spring.
- A set square ensures measuring scales are vertical.
- Diagrams show how equipment should be set up.
Vocabulary To Learn
- extension: The extension of a spring is the change in length.
- gravitational force: Masses will have a gravitational force that pulls them downwards.
- hanging masses: Hanging masses (weights) can be used to put a known force onto a spring.
- mass hanger: A mass hanger can be attached to a spring; adding masses to it causes the spring to stretch in a controlled way.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The length of the spring is equal to the extension of the spring.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Applying a force to a spring will make it extend (stretch). A range of masses suspended on a mass holder will produce constant and measurable forces on a spring.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'extension'
The extension of a spring is the change in length. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: The length of the spring is equal to the extension of the spring. Correction: Focus on the fact that forces cause the length of the spring to change and pupils are measuring the size of that change.
More Lessons In This Unit
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