HOOKE'S LAW

3 marks · Easy

Rubber bands and metal springs behave differently when stretched. Read the statements below and answer the questions.

(a)

Describe how the force-extension graphs differ for a rubber band and a metal spring.

[2 marks]

(b)

State which one follows Hooke's law and which one does not.

[1 mark]

Work this out on paper, then compare with the answer and worked solution below. With a free account you can submit written answers for marking.

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(a) Metal springs: straight line graph passing through origin (proportional); Rubber bands: curved graph (not proportional).

(b) The metal spring follows Hooke's law; the rubber band does not.

Common mistakes: Saying both are straight lines; not mentioning rubber band's non-linearity.

Show mark scheme and worked solution

Marking points

B1 (a) · 1 mark · Describes spring’s graph as a straight line (proportionality).

B2 (a) · 1 mark · Describes rubber band’s graph as curved/non-linear (not proportional).

B3 (b) · 1 mark · States that metal spring obeys Hooke's law but rubber band does not.

Worked solution

a) A metal spring gives a straight line graph (force proportional to extension). A rubber band’s graph is curved, showing the extension does not increase proportionally with force.

b) The metal spring follows Hooke’s law, the rubber band does not.