Several measurements of force versus extension are taken for an ideal spring
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Measurements and their errors · Measurements and their errors
Problem
Several measurements of force versus extension are taken for an ideal spring. The student wants the most precise value of the spring constant. Which of the following procedures is most likely to yield that result?
(a) Use only the data point with the largest extension because larger values minimize percentage uncertainty.
(b) Calculate k by dividing the average force by the average extension from all measurements.
(c) Determine the slope of the best-fit line of force versus extension for all data points.
(d) Find k by connecting just the smallest and largest data points and taking the slope of that line segment.