A cart is attached to a horizontal ideal spring fixed to a wall
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics
Problem
A cart is attached to a horizontal ideal spring fixed to a wall. The cart is momentarily held in place while the spring exerts a force of 8N directed toward the wall on the cart.
Assume no friction and that the relaxed (equilibrium) position of the cart is well defined.
(a) Describe whether the spring is compressed or stretched relative to its relaxed length. In your explanation, connect the direction of the spring force to the displacement of the cart.
(b) Without performing a numerical calculation, explain how the magnitude of the cart’s displacement ∣Δx∣ depends on the spring constant k for the given force magnitude. State whether a larger value of k would require a larger or smaller ∣Δx∣ for the same 8N force, and justify your answer.