Acme Scale's
Mathematical Analysis of
Marist Corp. and Immaculata Corp. Springs

The Problem: The cost of the springs we presently use in our mass scales have doubled. We have identified two companies that sell a comparable spring at a substantially lower price. The Marist Spring Corporation spring is 22 cm in length and the spring from the Immaculata Spring Corporation has a length of 4 cm. We have decided to evaluate the quality of these springs based on the criteria below. We will pick the spring that bests meets the criteria below.

The following objectives need to be met before we decide which spring to purchase.

Purpose:

Use plotting software to:

a) determine the mathematical relationship between force and stretch for both springs.

b) calculate the spring constant of each spring using the slope of an F vs. x plot (NOTE   TO STUDENT k=F/x - the slope of line = spring constant)

c) identify the spring that comes closest to exhibiting the properties of an ideal spring     (NOTE TO STUDENT x = stretch)

Tips on the Introduction: Be sure to mention the fictitious problem presented at the top of the page. Define all the important terms mentioned in the purpose.

Notes from teacher discussion:

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