Final answer:
To stretch a spring from 12.0 cm to 15.0 cm with a spring constant of 8.0 N/cm, a load of 24.0 Newtons is required, which is calculated using Hooke's Law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Physics, specifically focusing on Hooke's Law in the context of springs and elasticity.
To find the load needed to stretch a spring from its unstretched length to a specific extended length, we use Hooke's Law, which states that the force (F) needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance (x) from its natural length is proportional to that distance. The formula is given by F = k × x, where k is the spring constant and x is the change in the spring's length.
In the case of the question, the spring constant (k) is given as 8.0 N/cm, and the spring is to be stretched from 12.0 cm to 15.0 cm, which is a change of 3.0 cm. Thus, the required load can be calculated as follows:
F = k × x
F = (8.0 N/cm) × (3.0 cm)
F = 24.0 N
Therefore, a load of 24.0 Newtons is needed to stretch the spring to a length of 15.0 cm.