Can a Spring Ever Do Positive Work?

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A spring can perform positive work when it is compressed and then released, causing a mass attached to it to move outward. In this scenario, the restoring force of the spring acts in the same direction as the displacement of the mass, resulting in positive work being done. The increase in kinetic energy of the mass confirms that positive work has occurred. However, once the spring extends beyond its equilibrium position, the restoring force reverses direction, leading to negative work. Thus, while springs typically do negative work when stretched, they can indeed do positive work under certain conditions.
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does spring always do negative work?

how could it do positive work?

I can't think of any situation
 
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daivinhtran said:
does spring always do negative work?

how could it do positive work?

I can't think of any situation

Really?

Suppose you have a spring with a mass at the end of it. The spring is compressed, because you are pushing on the mass and holding it there. Then you release it. The restoring force acts to extend the spring, pushing the mass outward along with it. The displacement of the mass is in the same direction as the force. Therefore, the force does positive work. You *know* that it has done positive work, because the kinetic energy of the mass has increased.

It's only once the spring extension goes past the equilibrium position, and the spring becomes stretched, that the restoring force switches sign and starts to pull the thing back.
 
Thank you so much :D
 

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