Question

A hand exerciser utilizes a coiled spring. A force of 108.0 N is required to compress the string by 0.0191 m. Determine the force needed to compress the spring by 0.0440 m. N

Answer 1

By Hooke's law, the spring exerts a restoring force with magnitude F when compressed by a distance x according to

F = kx

where k is the spring constant. Solve for k :

k = F / x = (108.0 N) / (0.0191 m) = 5654.45 N/m

Now solve for F when x = 0.0440 m :

F = (5654.45 N/m) (0.0440 m) = 248.796 N ≈ 249 N