Thank you Denverdoc.
Is this what you mean?
MGH= 50,000N* -1 = -50,000N
SPE = 1/2Kx2 = 1/2 K (1)
-50,000 + 1/2 K (1) = 60,000 N (??)
1/2 K = 110,000
K= 220,000
[b] an elevator car weighing 50,000 N is 27m from the ground. the cable snaps and the elevator goes into free fall. Shock absorbers have been provided, the coil length is 1 m.
Assume elevator is able to lock onto the shaft at the point of contact w/ the absorber so that it does not bounce...