Question

The constant of a spring is 480 N/m.

How much elastic potential energy is stored in the spring if the spring is compressed a distance of 6.4 cm?

What is the force being used to compress the spring?

Answer 1

The potential energy is given as follows:

$$W = \dfrac{kx^2}{2}$$

where $k = 480N/m$ and $x = 6.4cm = 0.064m$. Thus, obtain:

$$W = \dfrac{480\cdot 0.064^2}{2} \approx 0.98J$$

The force is given by the Hook's law:

$$F = kx = 480\cdot 0.064 \approx 31N$$

Answer. 0.98J, 31N.