Conservation of energy of three spring system.

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 2K views
bobred
Messages
170
Reaction score
0
1. Find the equation for conservation of energy in system. System consists of three springs A,B and C with stiffness k, 2k and 0.5k respectively and natural lengths l, 0.5l and 2l respectively.



Homework Equations


Equation for conservation of energy [tex]E=K+U_{spring}+U_{gravity}[/tex]
[tex]K=\frac{1}{2}mv^2[/tex]
Datum taken at point A, [tex]U_{gravity}=-mgx[/tex]
[tex]U_{spring}=\frac{1}{2}k(x-l_0)^2[/tex]
Where [tex]K[/tex] is kinetic energy and [tex]k[/tex] is the spring stiffness and [tex]l_0[/tex] is the natural length.

The Attempt at a Solution


By analysing the diagam
[tex]U_{springA}=\frac{1}{2}k(x-l_0)^2[/tex]
[tex]U_{springB}=\frac{1}{2}*2k(x-\frac{1}{2}l_0-\frac{1}{2}l_0)^2=k(x-l_0)^2[/tex]
[tex]U_{springC}=\frac{1}{2}*\frac{1}{2}k(4l_0-x-2l_0)^2=\frac{1}{4}k(2l_0-x)^2[/tex]
[tex]K=\frac{1}{2}mv^2[/tex]
[tex]U_{gravity}=-mgx[/tex]

My question is, is the answer [tex]E=K+U_{gravity}+U_{springA}+U_{springB}+U_{springC}[/tex] and have I derived the individual energies correctly?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org