Solving for Spring Compression: 2.3kg Dropped 4.82m

In summary, spring compression is the change in length or height of a spring when a force is applied to it. It is measured in meters and is directly related to the amount of force applied. It can be calculated using Hooke's Law, which states that the force applied to a spring is directly proportional to the spring's change in length or height. The spring constant is a measure of the stiffness of a spring and is typically measured in Newtons per meter (N/m). It can be determined by conducting an experiment and rearranging the formula F = -kx to solve for k. To solve for spring compression in a specific scenario, the force applied, spring constant, and initial length or height of the spring are needed. The formula
  • #1
jamexd
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Homework Statement


A mass of 2.3 kg is dropped from a height of 4.82 meters above a vertical spring anchored at its lower end to the floor. If the spring constant is 20 N/cm, how far, to the nearest tenth of a cm, is the spring compressed?
answer is 34.1

Homework Equations


PE = mgh
KE = (1/2)m(v^2)
Hookes Law= (1/2)K(x^2)

The Attempt at a Solution


mgh = (1/2)K(x^2)
 
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  • #2
There you go, that is how you solve the equation. The actual solution, however, is wrong. Did you keep your units?
 

What is spring compression?

Spring compression is the change in length or height of a spring when a force is applied to it. This change is measured in meters and is directly related to the amount of force applied.

How is spring compression calculated?

Spring compression can be calculated using Hooke's Law, which states that the force applied to a spring is directly proportional to the spring's change in length or height. The formula for calculating spring compression is F = -kx, where F is the force applied, k is the spring constant, and x is the change in length or height.

What is the spring constant?

The spring constant is a measure of the stiffness of a spring, or how much force is required to produce a certain amount of spring compression. It is typically measured in Newtons per meter (N/m).

How is the spring constant determined?

The spring constant can be determined by conducting an experiment where the amount of force applied to a spring is varied and the resulting change in length or height is measured. The spring constant can then be calculated by rearranging the formula F = -kx to solve for k.

How do you solve for spring compression in a specific scenario?

To solve for spring compression in a specific scenario, you will need to know the force applied, the spring constant, and the initial length or height of the spring. Plug these values into the formula F = -kx and solve for x to determine the spring compression. In the scenario given (2.3kg dropped 4.82m), we would need to know the spring constant of the spring in question to calculate the spring compression.

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