Question

A 5000kg elephant steps into a large spring and compresses it from 1m long to 50cm long what is the spring constant of the spring

Answer 1

Answer: 98 kN/m

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

Mass of elephant
`m=5000\ kg`

Spring compresses from
`1\ m\ (100\ cm) \text{to}\ 50\ cm`

i.e. change in length is
`100-50=50\ cm`

spring force is given by
`kx`

where k=spring constant

x=change in length

The weight of elephant must be equal to the spring force

`\Rightarrow W=kx\\\Rightarrow 5000* 9.8=k* 0.5\\\Rightarrow k=98,000\ N/m\ or\ 98\ kN/m`