HOOKE'S LAW AND TREES
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Date
2007-05
Type of Work
Department
Hood College Biology
Program
Biomedical and Environmental Science
Citation of Original Publication
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Abstract
Are the mathematical relationships that occur for springs, determined by Hooke (Bellis 2006)
applicable to tree branches? Springs store and release energy with every extension and release.
In a similar fashion, energy is stored and released in tree branches each time weights are added
and removed, or when a tree branch is set into oscillation. This paper proves that the well known
physics equations used to describe springs can be applied to tree branches as well. Their
stiffness, "k", can be determined using a "Hookian- method. Likewise the stiffness of the
branch,"k", can also be determined using an oscillation method, which is often used for springs
as well, to determine "k". The value "k- was determined using two different methods on each
tree branch. Fifty Pinus strobus branches were tested. The statistical results showed a powerful
alignment with the concept that mathematical equations used to describe the stiffness of springs
can be applied to tree branches as well. It was also evident that the quality of the results depends
on a relationship between the range of the weight set used with the weight of the branches tested.
In other words, any one set of weights must be matched with a set of branches that will
demonstrate a result which can be quantified, but yet does not go beyond the elastic limits of the
branch. By the same token, the results must be measurable. The data collected in this research
can be expanded upon by testing to see if the physics equations used for tree branches can be
then applied to tree trunks, which in turn would allow scientists to examine deflections in trees
during wind storms. As a result determinations about the stiffness of trees based on the
oscillation method could be determined in a nondestructive way.