Elastic Potential Energy Physics Problem

[chops369]

Homework Statement

The staples inside a stapler are kept in place by a spring with a relaxed length of 0.115 m. If the spring constant is 51 N/m, how much elastic potential energy is stored in the spring when its length is 0.150 m?

Ok, so:
Relaxed length= 0.115 m
k= 51 N/m
x= .150-.115= .035 m

Homework Equations

PE elastic = 1/2kx^2

The Attempt at a Solution

I did PE elastic = 1/2(51)(.035)^2 and got 0.031 Joules, but this doesn't seem correct. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[IPart]

Seems fine. Is the answer sought in some other units?

 

[chops369]

No, I just wanted to double check to see if I did the problem correctly. I guess I wasn't expecting such a small number. Thanks for the help.

 

[IPart]

Welcome!

 

[kadavis2010]

Woaa.. i have this exact problem with slightly different numbers... Are you doing homework for utexas?