Calculating Work Needed to Stretch a Spring: 100J to 0.75m

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the work required to stretch a spring, specifically transitioning from 0.5m to an additional 0.75m, resulting in a total stretch of 1.25m. Initially, the user incorrectly applied the formula W = Fd, leading to a miscalculation of 150J instead of the correct 525J. The key error was neglecting Hooke's Law, F = kx, which necessitates the use of integration to determine work done on a spring. The correct approach involves calculating the spring constant k and applying it within the integral for work.

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"It takes 100J of work to stretch a spring 0.5m from its equilibrium position. How much work is needed to stretch it an additional 0.75m."
Attempt: w = ⌠abF(x)dx
work = F x D
100J = F x 0.5m
F = 200J

0.75 + 0.5 = 1.25
w = ⌠0.51.25 200dx
w = 150 J

The correct answer: w = 525 J

what did I do wrong? Thanks!

Nevermind, I found the exact problem online, so sorry!
 
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Work is not constant in spring.You can't use W=Fd.You should take an integral
(Carefull for the signs when you take an integral).
Another thing that Questions ask "The work done by our force".
 
Arman777 said:
Work is not constant in spring.You can't use W=Fd.You should take an integral
(Carefull for the signs when u take an integral).
Another thing that Questions ask "The work done by our force".
My problem was that I forgot hooke's law.
F = kx
I can apply it to the given information to find the target solution.
 
Any ideas How ?
 
Arman777 said:
Any ideas How ?
w = ⌠.51.25 kx dx
you can solve for k by plugging in known integral...
100 = ⌠0.5kxdx

you should get k = 800
 
great
 

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