A horizontal spring of negligible mass is fixed at one end on a smooth table

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

A horizontal spring of negligible mass is fixed at one end on a smooth table. The spring has a force constant of 25 N cm−125\,\text{N}\,\text{cm}^{-1} and is compressed from its natural length. Answer the following: (a) Part 1: (i) Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the spring when it is compressed by 5.0 cm5.0\,\text{cm}. Express your answer in joule. (b) Part 2: (ii) The spring is now compressed by 10 cm10\,\text{cm}. Calculate the new value of the elastic potential energy and hence determine the ratio of the energies in parts (ii) and (i).

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