Final answer:
The spring constant can be calculated using Hooke's law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the distance it is stretched. In this case, the spring constant is 313.6 N/m.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spring constant can be calculated using Hooke's law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the distance it is stretched. The formula for Hooke's law is F = -kx, where F is the force, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement. Rearranging the formula, we get k = -F/x.
In this case, the spring stretches 0.250 m while supporting an 8.0-kg baby. The force can be calculated using the baby's weight, which is F = mass * gravity = 8.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 78.4 N.
Plugging the values into the formula, we get k = -78.4 N / 0.250 m = -313.6 N/m. The negative sign indicates that the spring is being stretched downwards. Therefore, the spring constant is 313.6 N/m.