A light, ideal spring obeys Hooke’s law with force constant . The spring is stretched…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power

Problem

A light, ideal spring obeys Hooke’s law with force constant

k

. The spring is stretched quasistatically from its equilibrium position until the magnitude of the restoring force reaches a specified value

F_{\text{max}}

. (a) Express the extension

\Delta x_{\text{max}}

of the spring in terms of

F_{\text{max}}

and

k

. (b) Derive an expression for the elastic potential energy

U_{s,\text{max}}

stored in the spring at this maximum extension, writing your answer solely in terms of

F_{\text{max}}

and

k

. (c) A particular spring has

k = 250\,\text{N}\,\text{m}^{-1}

and is stretched until it exerts a force of

60\,\text{N}

. Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the spring at that point.