A spiral spring of natural length 30.0cm and force constant of 20Nm-1 is compressed to 20.0cm. Calculate the energy stored in the spring
Question 1 Report
A spiral spring of natural length 30.0cm and force constant of 20Nm-1 is compressed to 20.0cm. Calculate the energy stored in the spring
Answer Details
When a spring is compressed or stretched from its natural length, it stores potential energy. The potential energy stored in a spring is given by the formula:
U = 1/2 kx^2
where U is the potential energy stored, k is the force constant of the spring and x is the displacement of the spring from its natural length.
In this case, the natural length of the spring is 30.0 cm, and it is compressed to a length of 20.0 cm, so its displacement is:
x = 30.0 cm - 20.0 cm = 10.0 cm = 0.1 m
The force constant of the spring is given as 20 Nm^-1. Therefore, the potential energy stored in the spring is:
U = 1/2 (20 Nm^-1) (0.1 m)^2
= 0.1 J
Therefore, the energy stored in the spring is 0.1 J.
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