# Finding the Spring constant without knowing the mass

1. Feb 22, 2009

### Northyellow

1. A spring is hung from the ceiling. When a block is attached to its end, it stretches 2.0 cm before reaching its new equilibrium length. The block is then pulled down slightly and released. what is the frequency of the oscillation?

2. The frequency is found by f= 1/2$$\pi$$ *$$\sqrt{K/M}$$

So I guess the first thing to do is finding the spring constant: k = mg/x
This is the only formula I know for it, how can I find it if there is no given mass?

3. I can't really get past that, I just feel like I'm stuck as I don't know how to find the
spring constant without knowing the mass of the block...
Any hints are greatly appriciated,

Last edited: Feb 22, 2009
2. Feb 22, 2009

### gabbagabbahey

You don't really need to find k or m in order to find the frequency; the frquency depends on (k/m) and surely you can find (k/m) from the relation k=mg/x right?

3. Feb 22, 2009

### Northyellow

Thank you very much, did not see that.

That was really helpful, and I think I got the correct answer now. :)

thank you again :)

Last edited: Feb 22, 2009