Question

If a spring has a constant of `6` `kgs^-2`, how much work will it take to extend the spring by `67` `cm`?

Answer 1

The work done is equal to the change in spring potential energy: `E_p=1/2kx^2=1/2*6*0.67^2 = 1.35` `J`.

Explanation:

There's probably not a lot more explanation needed. The work required to extend the spring is stored as spring potential energy.

We could also calculate this using `W=Fd`, but because the force changes as the distance changes, this requires integrating the force over the distance, so the spring potential energy method is simpler.