Thank you for catching my mistake! I forgot to square the values so this is what I got for part a now:gneill said:In part (a), check your calculation of spring potential energy. Interestingly, you used the correct value for energy in part (b).
A spring is an elastic object that can be stretched or compressed and will return to its original shape when the force is removed. It works by storing potential energy when it is stretched or compressed, and releasing that energy when it returns to its original shape.
The potential energy of a spring is calculated using the formula PE = 1/2kx^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from the equilibrium position. The higher the spring constant, the stiffer the spring and the more potential energy it can store.
Yes, a spring can have negative potential energy. This occurs when the spring is compressed and the displacement (x) is negative. This indicates that the spring is in a lower energy state and has the potential to release energy when it returns to its equilibrium position.
According to Hooke's Law, the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to its displacement from the equilibrium position. This means that the more a spring is stretched or compressed, the greater the force it exerts.
The work done by a spring is calculated using the formula W = 1/2kx^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from the initial to final position. This formula represents the change in potential energy of the spring, which is equal to the work done on the spring.