Question

PL-1) A spring that hangs vertically is 25 cm long when no weight is attached to its lower end. Steve adds 250 g of mass to the end of the spring, which stretches to a new length of 37 cm. What is the spring constant, k, in N/m?

Answer 1

20.42 N/m

Step-by-step explanation:

From hook's law,

F = ke ......................... Equation 1

Where F = Force applied to the spring., k = spring constant, e = extension.

Make k the subject of the equation,

k = F/e ................. Equation 2

Note: The force on the spring is equal to the weight of the mass hung on it.

F = W = mg.

k = mg/e................ Equation 3

Given: m = 250 g = 0.25 kg, e = 37-25 = 12 cm = 0.12 m.

Constant: g = 9.8 m/s²

Substitute into equation 3

k = (0.25×9.8)/0.12

k = 20.42 N/m.

Hence the spring constant = 20.42 N/m