Question

A vertical spring has a force constant of 125 N/m. By how much will the

spring be compressed if a mass of 0.525 kg is placed on top of it?

Answer 1

The weight of the mass (the forces that compresses the spring) is given as follows:

$$P = mg$$

where $m = 0.525kg$ is the mass, $g = 9.81m/s^2$ is the gravitational acceleration.

According to the Hook's law, the comression of the spring is:

$$x = \dfrac{P}{k} = \dfrac{mg}{k}$$

where $k = 125N/m$ is the spring constant. Thus, obtain:

$$x = \dfrac{0.525kg\cdot 9.81m/s^2}{125N/m} \approx 0.0412m$$

Answer. 0.0412m.