Question

A spring balance used weigh candy is built with a spring. The spring stretches 3.00 cm when a 15 N weight is placed in the pan. When the weight is replaced with 3 kg of candy , what distance will the spring stretch ?

Answer 1

5.9 cm

Step-by-step explanation:

We'll begin by calculating the spring constant for the spring. This can be obtained as follow:

Force (F) = weight = 15 N

Extention (e) = 3 cm

Spring constant (K) =.?

F = Ke

15 = K × 3

Divide both side by 3

K = 15 / 3

K = 5 N/cm

Therefore, the spring constant is 5 N/cm.

Finally, we shall determine the distance the spring stretches when a 3 kg of candy is placed on the spring balance. This is illustrated below:

Mass (m) = 3 kg

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s²

Force (F) = weight = mg = 3 × 9.8

Force (F) = 29.4 N

Spring constant (K) = 5 N/cm

Extention (e) =.?

F = Ke

29.4 = 5 × e

Divide both side by 5

e = 29.4 / 5

e = 5.88 ≈ 5.9 cm

Therefore, the spring stretches 5.9 cm when the 3 kg candy is placed on the spring balance.