The potential energy stored in the spring is shown as 0.4 J.
How to calculate the potential energy stored in the spring?
The potential energy stored in the spring is calculated by applying the following formula as shown below;
U = ¹/₂kx²
where;
- k is the spring constant
- x is the extension of the spring
The given parameters include;
force constant of the spring = 500 N/m
extension of the spring = 4 cm = 0.04 m
energy stored in the spring = 0.4 J
The potential energy stored in the spring is calculated as;
U = ¹/₂ x 500 x (0.04²)
U = 0.4 J, shown
The complete question is below:
A spring has a force constant of 500 N/m. Show that the potential energy stored in the spring is as follows: 0.400 J when the spring is stretched 4.00 cm from equilibrium.