A spring with a force constant of 3.1 104 N/m is initially at its equilibrium length.
(a) How much work must you do to stretch the spring 0.053 m?
(b) How much work must you do to compress it 0.053 m?
2007-10-18 14:09:47 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I believe that the energy required to displace a spring (work) is given by E = (1/2 )kx^2. The units work out to N x m, which is a force x a distance, which makes sense. Since the displacement is squared, it does not matter whether it is positive or negative, you will get a positive result for the work done. The displacement is measured from the equilibrium length, so it will take the same amount of work to stretch it or compress it the same amount.
2007-10-18 15:03:34 · answer #1 · answered by Larry454 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In both cases it is equal to 0.5 kx^2
= 0.5 x 3.1 x 10 ^4 x 0.053^2
= 43.54 J.
2007-10-18 22:11:06 · answer #2 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋