Hooke's Law E-practical
Introduction
This virtual experiment allows you to verify Hooke’s Law which states that the amount a substance stretches when a force is applied to it is proportional to the force.
Realistic experimental technique
E-practicals are 3d, highly realistic emulations based on a blend of theory and the actual practicals, giving an authentic experience of doing the actual practical in a laboratory. Students operate the apparatus, make measurements and obtain their own results. It is designed to reproduce the experience of performing the practical rather than simply demonstrating the underlying physics. Like a real experiment, it can be done badly. Careless setup or measurements can produce poor results, so students have to apply experimental technique and take care with their measurements.
Useful when laboratory access is limited
Ideal for preparation before a practical, revision afterwards, missed practicals, home study, or demonstrating an experiment when setting up the real apparatus isn't practical.
Watch it in Action
This shows how the e-practical can be used. In particular it shows how the student or teacher interacts with the apparatus and how the interaction can be controlled using the mouse or the alternative on-screen controls.
Works directly in a browser
No installation is required. Windows, Mac and suitable mobile devices can run the WebGL e-practical.
What students do
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The weights in the cradle can be altered by placing the mouse cursor over the cradle and using the mouse wheel.
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The student notes the extension for each of the possible weights.
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For each possible weight the student calculates the extension of the wire.
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The student creates a table with a column for the weight and one for the extension.
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The student plots a graph of force against extension and verifies that this is a straight line which demonstrates that the extension is proportional to the force.
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The student can then calculate the stiffness constant from the formula given at the start of this page. This will be the gradient of the graph.
What you get
The application is supplied as a PowerPoint which provides background, a synopsis of what the student will learn, a description of the Physics involved, a description of the apparatus, the independent and dependent variables, the method, a link to the interactive online e-practical, analysis of the results and further discussion.
E-practical
Runs in a modern web browser. No software installation required. Recommended or desktops but will run successfully on tablets of medium to large size with a browser that supports WebGL.
School/Department licence £9.99
Valid for 1 year