Question

The spring shown in image "A" has an initial length, Li= 0.380 m . A mass, m1 , is set on top of the spring, compressing it some amount. (See image "B.") Some time later, another mass ( m2= 0.612 kg ) is added to the spring, further compressing it by 4.00×10−2 m .

Answer 1

The mass m​1 compresses the spring by an initial amount, and adding mass m2​ further compresses it by 4.00×10^−2 m.

The scenario involves a spring initially compressed by a mass m1, leading to a certain compression. Subsequently, another mass m2​=0.612kg is added to the spring, causing an additional compression of 4.00×10^−2 m. The overall compression of the spring is the sum of the initial compression caused by m1 and the additional compression due to m2.

This situation is commonly encountered in systems involving springs and masses, where the total displacement or compression of the spring is the result of the combined effects of individual masses acting on it. The information provided gives a concise overview of the system's behavior and the cumulative impact of the applied masses on the spring's configuration.