Final answer:
To calculate the antenna compression, we can use Hooke's law and the equation for the force exerted on a spring. By considering the antenna as a steel cylinder, its mass and the acceleration due to gravity can be used to determine the force. From there, we can calculate the compression using Hooke's law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antenna compression can be determined using the equation for the force exerted on a spring. Since the antenna can be considered as a steel cylinder with a radius of 0.150 m, its cross-sectional area can be calculated as A = πr^2. The force F exerted on the antenna due to its weight is given by F = mg, where m is the total mass of the physicist and equipment and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
With the cross-sectional area and force known, we can calculate the compression of the antenna using Hooke's law. Hooke's law states that the force exerted on a spring is directly proportional to the displacement or compression of the spring. Mathematically, this can be expressed as F = kx, where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement or compression of the antenna.
The equation for compression can be rearranged to solve for x: x = F/k. Substituting the values for force and spring constant, we can calculate the compression of the antenna.