Question

A vertical spring has a force constant of 125N/m. By how much will the spring be compressed if a mass of 0.525kg placed on top of it?

Answer 1

We can find the compression of the spring from the Hooke's law:

$$F=kx,$$ $$mg=kx,$$ $$x=\dfrac{mg}{k}=\dfrac{0.525\ kg\cdot 9.8\ \dfrac{m}{s^2}}{125\ \dfrac{N}{m}}=0.041\ m.$$

Answer:

$x=0.041\ m.$