Question

A girl weighing 600 N steps on a bathroom scale that contains a stiff spring. In equilibrium, the spring is compressed 1.0 cm under her weight. Find the spring constant and the total work done on it during the compression.

Answer 1

The spring constant is 60,000 N

The total work done on it during the compression is 3 J

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

weight of the girl, W = 600 N

compression of the spring, x = 1 cm = 0.01 m

To determine the spring constant, we apply hook's law;

F = kx

where;

F is applied force or weight on the spring

k is the spring constant

x is the compression of the spring

k = F / x

k = 600 / 0.01

k = 60,000 N

The total work done on the spring = elastic potential energy of the spring, U;

U = ¹/₂kx²

U = ¹/₂(60000)(0.01)²

U = 3 J

Thus, the total work done on it during the compression is 3 J