Calculating Work on a Stretched Spring

  • Thread starter Thread starter shrutij
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spring Work
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 5K views
shrutij
Messages
25
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


When a certain spring is stretched beyond its proportional limit, the restoring force satisfies the equation F=-kx+βx3. If k=8.7 N/m and β=95 N/m3, calculate the work done by this force when the spring is stretched 0.105 m.


Homework Equations


W= F*d


The Attempt at a Solution


I found F by plugging in the values of k, β and x=0.105 m to get -1.02. The negative for the force value makes sense here since it is a restoring force acting in the negative direction. Am i wrong in this reasoning?
My answer is wrong, though since when I try W=F*d; =-1.02*.105, I get -0.107 J, which is wrong. Help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I am not an expert on this, but surely the formula is F = -kx for x between 0 and the proportional limit, then the more complex formula beyond that.
And you can't do the problem without knowing the stretch distance of the proportional limit so you know where to switch formulas.
 
Delphi51 said:
I am not an expert on this, but surely the formula is F = -kx for x between 0 and the proportional limit, then the more complex formula beyond that.
And you can't do the problem without knowing the stretch distance of the proportional limit so you know where to switch formulas.
That sounds logical to me. The problem is missing one vital piece of information.

shrutij, what is the given correct answer?