Dropping springs (in free fall) and hoberman ball

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SUMMARY

When a spring is dropped from a state of equilibrium, the bottom remains stationary until the top touches it, resulting in the entire spring falling together due to the tension (T) becoming zero. In the case of a Hoberman ball, its behavior depends on its state when released; if expanded, it contracts immediately upon release, falling as a smaller ball, while if contracted, it maintains its size during the fall. In a free-fall scenario, the spring behaves similarly to the first case, remaining stationary until the top touches the bottom, leading to a unified fall.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law (T=kx)
  • Basic principles of gravitational forces
  • Knowledge of equilibrium states in mechanical systems
  • Familiarity with the behavior of elastic materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the dynamics of elastic materials under gravitational forces
  • Explore the principles of free fall and its effects on different objects
  • Study the mechanics of springs and their applications in real-world scenarios
  • Investigate the behavior of expandable structures like Hoberman balls in various conditions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and dynamics, as well as educators seeking to explain concepts of equilibrium and elastic behavior in materials.

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Homework Statement


A) Explain what will happen if I drop a spring at equilibrium.
B) Explain what will happen if I drop a Hoberman ball.
C) Explain what will happen if I drop the spring in a falling elevator (in free fall).


Homework Equations


T=kx


3. The Attempt at a Solution [/b
For A) The bottom of the spring will remain stationary until the top bit has touched it because extension x only changes then and consequently T becomes zero and the whole spring then falls together.
I'm not sure if this applies to the Hoberman ball question though. It may depend on whether the ball is expanded/contracted when I release it. If it's expanded, as I release it the ball no longer feels the tension so it will contract at once and fall as a small ball? If it's contracted in the first place, it won't expand and become larger as it falls, will it?
For C) will the effects be the same as in A??
 
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The spring will remain stationary until the top bit has touched it and then the whole spring will fall together.
 

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