spring constants.?

Question

A spring has a force constant of 600.0 N/m.

(a) Determine the potential energy stored in the spring when the spring is stretched 3.90 cm from equilibrium.

(b) Determine the potential energy stored in the spring when the spring is stretched 2.99 cm from equilibrium.

Answer 1

There are two potential energies involved here,
Elastic and gravitational potential energies.

Please add details of the problem .
Is it vertical or horizontal positioned spring?

For a spring in horizontal position:
Let Ue = Elastic potential energy

Ue = ½ ky² = ½ (600 N/m) (3.90)² = 4563J
Ue = ½ ky² = ½ (600 N/m) (2.99)² = 2682J

Let Ug = Gravitational potential energy
Ug = mgh = 0J no change in height


In case its vertically positioned, Compute for the total potential energy, using h = y
U = Ug + Ue = mgh + ½ ky²