By how much does each spring stretch?

  • Thread starter Thread starter minitorpedo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spring Stretch
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of springs in a mechanical system, specifically focusing on how the stretching of springs relates to their coil count and the forces acting on them. The original poster presents a scenario involving a spring with 14 coils that stretches under a load, which is then cut into two identical springs of 7 coils each. Participants explore how the spring constant changes with the number of coils and the implications for the stretching of the new springs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the number of coils and the spring constant, questioning how cutting the spring affects its stiffness and the resulting stretch. Some express uncertainty about the equations governing these relationships and whether the stretch would be halved when the spring is divided.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered insights into the mechanics of the spring system, with some suggesting that the force acting on each spring is halved when two springs are used. There is acknowledgment of differing interpretations of the problem, and while some participants arrive at numerical answers, there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the relationship between spring constants, coil counts, and the forces involved. There is also mention of homework constraints that may limit the information available for solving the problem.

  • #31
and doesn't the force from friction need to be factored in too?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
minitorpedo said:
and doesn't the force from friction need to be factored in too?
Argh! Dammit, I knew there was something that I'd left out, couldn't figure out what though! :blushing: You need to factor in the kinetic friction between the lower block and the table;

F_{applied}-F_{spring}-F_{friction} = 0

Please accept my apologies, long day. I guess I should go settle down and nice single malt and the West Wing :biggrin:
 
  • #33
haha, its ok, so its F_applied = Fspring+Ffriction
F spring is what we found, and Ffriction is mgu?
 
  • #34
minitorpedo said:
haha, its ok, so its F_applied = Fspring+Ffriction
F spring is what we found, and Ffriction is mgu?
Yes you're correct. However, you should note that m is the combined mass of both blocks (i.e. 15kg + 30kg). Do you understand why?
 
  • #35
yes, i got it right. Thank you so much! i see that ur quote is from seneca, I am guessing that's Seneca High School in the lenape regional district, becasue I am from lenape. well once again thank u
 
  • #36
minitorpedo said:
yes, i got it right. Thank you so much! i see that ur quote is from seneca, I am guessing that's Seneca High School in the lenape regional district, becasue I am from lenape. well once again thank u
No problem, it was my pleasure, again I apologies for my fatal error :frown: . Actually, its from a first century philosopher called Seneca the younger, whom perhaps the High School was named after.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
3K