A light spring is hung vertically and found to extend by when a force of is applied.
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A light spring is hung vertically and found to extend by 5cm when a force of 4N is applied.
(i) Calculate the spring constant of the spring in SI units.
(ii) Determine the potential energy stored in the spring for this extension.
(iii) If the same spring is compressed by 5cm instead of being stretched, how much potential energy is stored? Give a reason for your answer.