WAEC SSCE - Physics - 2002 (Objective)

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

0.1J

1.0J

10.0J

100.0J

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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