answers
part a = 196 N/m
part b = 55 cm or 0.55 m
Step-by-step explanation
we can solve this using Hooke's law where spring force is equal to the product of displacement and spring constant
![F_s =kx](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/dddkijyzouhx1cishvzb02o7yora5ku9gs.png)
part a
rearrange Hooke's law to solve for k (spring constant)
![F_s =kx\\k = (F_s)/(x)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/g1r8nf0rur1iltprshqp5ajd99npqzoaxu.png)
the spring force caused by the painting here is equal to the weight of the painting
![F_s = mg\\k = (mg)/(x)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/irzp9bzmjg10s456zk553b1yf84zwk1k1q.png)
m = 3 kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2
x = 45 - 30 = 15 cm = 0.15m
![k = (3*9.8)/(0.15)\\k = 196 (N)/(m)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/edjk7923xf68q68pzks2kco8qjk6cvr0i4.png)
part b
since we now know the spring constant, we can find the displacement caused by a 2kg picture by rearranging Hooke's law to solve for x, where spring force is still equal to weight
![F_s =kx\\x = (F_s)/(k)\\x = (mg)/(k)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/7zm3wc05sfrlvv9j2fdyc33ipi3to79jah.png)
m = 2 kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2
k = 196 N/m
![x = (2*9.8)/(196) \\x = 0.1m](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/jd9flo8trvrelv7tu999c7u1smyvlbz937.png)
the spring is stretched an additional 0.1 meters or 0.1 * 100 = 10 centimeters
45 cm + 10 cm = 55 cm or 0.55 m