Calculating Spring Stretch for a Car & Trailer

[GeoKenshin]

Homework Statement

A car is hauling an 88 kg trailer, to which it is connected by a spring. The spring constant is 2350 N/m. The car accelerates with an acceleration of 0.29 m/s^2. By how much does the spring stretch?

Homework Equations

Fx -kx

The Attempt at a Solution

Fx -kx

88(.29) = -2350x

x = -0.01085957

This seems right. I tried -.0109 and .-01086 but no luck with that either. Am I using the wrong formula?

 

[G01]

Homework Statement

A car is hauling an 88 kg trailer, to which it is connected by a spring. The spring constant is 2350 N/m. The car accelerates with an acceleration of 0.29 m/s^2. By how much does the spring stretch?

Homework Equations

Fx -kx

The Attempt at a Solution

Fx -kx

88(.29) = -2350x

x = -0.01085957

This seems right. I tried -.0109 and .-01086 but no luck with that either. Am I using the wrong formula?

Your method is correct. Maybe try dropping the negative. (They may be looking for a positive value for how far the spring stretched.)

 

[GeoKenshin]

that worked. thanks.

 

[G01]

Anytime.