A spring extends in length by 4.04.0 cmcm when a mass of 1.51.5 kgkg is hung from it. What is the spring constant of the spring?

1 Answer
Jun 7, 2017

k=(F_x)/(x-x_0)=(14.7" N")/(0.04" m")=367.5k=Fxxx0=14.7 N0.04 m=367.5 Nm^-1Nm1

Explanation:

Let these variables represent the following

F_x=Fx= the force applied to the spring

k=k= the spring force constant

x=x= the distance from equilibrium

x_0=x0= the spring equilibrium position

The equation to determine the spring constant, kk is

k=(F_x)/(x-x_0)k=Fxxx0

We are given the total measure of elongation is 44 cmcm, which is the difference between xx and x_0x0. That is,

x-x_0=4xx0=4 cm=0.04cm=0.04 mm

We are also given the mass of the body, 1.51.5 kgkg, and assuming this measurement is happening on Earth, we have the acceleration due to gravity 9.89.8 ms""^(-2)2.

F_x=9.8Fx=9.8 (ms^-2)xx1.5(ms2)×1.5 kg=14.7kg=14.7 NN

Therefore, the final solution is

k=(F_x)/(x-x_0)=(14.7" N")/(0.04" m")=367.5k=Fxxx0=14.7 N0.04 m=367.5 Nm^-1Nm1