Question

A spring with spring constant 175 N/m has 20 J of EPE stored in it. How much is it compressed?

Answer 1

Given:

• Spring constant = 175 N/m

,

• Energy = 20 J

Let's find by how much it is compressed.

Apply the formula:

`E=(1)/(2)kx^2`

Where:

E is the energy = 20 J

k is the sring constant = 175 N/m

x is the compression in meters

Rewrite the formula for x:

`x=\sqrt{(2E)/(k)}`

Input values and solve for x:

`\begin{gathered} x=\sqrt[]{(2*20)/(175)} \\ \\ x=\sqrt[]{(40)/(175)} \\ \\ x=\sqrt[]{0.2285} \\ \\ x=0.48\text{ m} \end{gathered}`

ANSWER:

0.48 m