Does height affect the constant of proportionality?

[mwahx3]

Homework Statement

Does height affect the constant of proportionality?

'k'

Homework Equations

no relevant equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't think it does but I'm not sure why though.

 

[learningphysics]

I don't understand... is k a spring constant?

 

[mwahx3]

hookes law.

 

[learningphysics]

hookes law.

k is constant within a certain range of stretching... beyond that the spring is damaged and doesn't work as Hooke's law predicts...

height doesn't affect it.

 

[mwahx3]

hmmm. but in the example they use falling objects...not springs. that's what I'm stuck on.

 

[learningphysics]

hmmm. but in the example they use falling objects...not springs. that's what I'm stuck on.

But Hooke's law is for springs. For falling objects, you probably don't need Hooke's law... unless I'm misunderstanding something.

 

[mwahx3]

ahhh. sorry what i said about hookes law. for falling objects, it stays constant since it is the acceleration. is this correct?

 

[learningphysics]

ahhh. sorry what i said about hookes law. for falling objects, it stays constant since it is the acceleration. is this correct?

Well, acceleration is approximated to g close to the earth... technically it does change with height... but for most gravity/falling object problems (where we aren't dealing with astronomical distances), it is taken as constant = g = 9.8m/s^2

 

[mwahx3]

oh wait! sorry i misunderstood the problem! k is the constant of proportionality for the DRAG. so air resistance. but it still doesn't change does it?

 

[mwahx3]

oh wait! sorry i misunderstood the problem! k is the constant of proportionality for the DRAG. so air resistance. but it still doesn't change does it?

 

[learningphysics]

oh wait! sorry i misunderstood the problem! k is the constant of proportionality for the DRAG. so air resistance. but it still doesn't change does it?

I don't think so... if the question gives it as a constant, then don't worry about it changing...

 

[mwahx3]

okay. thank you.