The graph is of the force exerted by a spring as a function of distance from its
ID: 2278733 • Letter: T
Question
The graph is of the force exerted by a spring as a function of distance from its unstretched length. Show your calculations for each part.
a. What is the spring constant of this spring?
b. What is the elastic potential energy if the spring is stretched 1.5 m from equilibrium?
Explanation / Answer
a) slope = K = (F2-F1)/(X2-X1)
= (8-0)/(3-0)
= 2.667 N/m
b) u = 0.5*k*x^2
= 0.5*2.667*1.5^2
= 3 J