Question

If the length of a `35 cm` spring increases to `73 cm` when a `3 kg` weight is hanging from it, what is the spring's constant?

Answer 1

The spring constant will be `-3 N/m`

Explanation:

Given Data:

`Displacement (x) = 73 cm - 35 cm = 38 cm`
`= 38 * 10^-3 m`
`x= 0.38 m`

We've just done this to get it into the SI units or MKS system.

Force (F) `= m*a = 3 * 0.38`
`F = 1.14 N`

Spring Constant (k) = ?

We know:

Spring Constant (k) `= - F/x`

`k = -1.14/0.38`

`k = -3`

This is our final answer.

The trick here and most of these types of questions, the answer will be the mass we multiplying in the force.