Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can state the two conditions for an ideal spring and give an example of each way a spring can be nonideal. (Guide: “The ideal spring model”; Practice Q7(a))
- I can explain why a massless spring exerts the same size of force at both ends. (Guide: “The ideal spring model”; Practice Q5(a))
- I can explain why the spring force points towards the relaxed length while the net force on a hanging block points towards its equilibrium. (Guide: “A hanging block”; Practice Q3)
Calculation
- I can use F_s,x = −kx with x in metres and give the direction of the force from the sign. (Practice Q1)
- I can find k_eq for springs all in series or all in parallel, and the force and extension of each spring. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2)
- I can find the spring constant of a piece of a cut spring and use it in a combination. (Practice Q4)
- I can find k from the slope of a force–extension graph. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q6(b))
Reasoning
- I can derive the series and parallel rules and show that series k_eq is below the smallest k. (Guide: “Combining springs”; Practice Q5)
- I can decide whether springs act in series or in parallel by asking “same force or same extension?”, even when the picture misleads. (Guide: Worked example 2)
- I can use data to decide whether a spring is ideal over a range, and predict factors of change in extension. (Practice Q2, Q6(c))
- I can explain how a spring’s own mass changes its stretch. (Practice Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 2.9, Resistive Forces, or return to the course roadmap.