Question

Calculate the energy stored in a spring when it is compressed 5mm by a 60n force

Answer 1

If a 60-N force is compressing the spring a distance of 5 mm = 0.005 m, then by Hooke's law, the spring has constant k such that

60 N = k (0.005 m) ⇒ k = 12,000 N/m

Then the spring is storing

1/2 (12,000 N/m) (0.005 m)² = 0.15 J

of potential energy.