How Do You Calculate the Force Constant of a Spring?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the force constant of a spring, specifically using Hooke's Law. The spring's original length is 17.1 cm, and it stretches to 19.5 cm under a force of 25.5 N. The correct method involves converting the lengths from centimeters to meters and applying the formula k = F/x, where k is the force constant, F is the force applied, and x is the extension of the spring. The user initially miscalculated by not converting units and dividing by the total length instead of the change in length.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law
  • Basic knowledge of force and motion
  • Ability to convert units (cm to m)
  • Familiarity with free body diagrams (FBD)
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply Hooke's Law in different scenarios
  • Study unit conversion techniques for physics problems
  • Explore the concept of elastic potential energy in springs
  • Practice solving problems involving force and spring constants
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and spring dynamics, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods in force-related topics.

treeelf5150
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I'm jut not sure how to solve this problem in general, I tried a couple ways, but I keep getting wrong answers and I only have 2 attempts left. Please give me a direction to go in!

A spring is 17.1cm long when it is lying on a table. One end is then attached to a hook and the other end is pulled by a force that increases to 25.5N , causing the spring to stretch to a length of 19.5cm .
What is the force constant of this spring?

First I drew the FBD, summed the forces and normal force and gravity cancel, then youre left with a force of 25N in the positive direction, its not accelerating so it equals zero. Thats all my teacher has taught me about force problems, we haven't even talked about springs before. I know that the answer should be in N/m from, so I tried dividing the force by the total length, and it was wrong. I then divided the force by the difference in lengths, which still was wrong. Unfortunately my teacher doesn't help us with our homework and isn't a good teacher in general for teaching... Please help me understand :(
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Show us your numbers when you divide by the change in length.

Also, in the future, please use the homework template. Otherwise, future posts will be deleted.

Chet
 
I'm sorry, I wasn't aware there was a emplate, I'm using my phone and the whole page isn't loading. I have found the answer to the problem, my mistake was not converting from centimeters to meters before hand. Thank you for replying though and I will get on my computer to see how the template is
 

Similar threads

What is the Relationship Between Force and Spring Constant?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Springs connected to a mass in series?
  • · Replies 56 ·
2
Replies
56
Views
5K
Find spring constant k using an electrical circuit
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Energy stored in a double spring system
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Why is my method for finding the spring constant incorrect?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Distribution of Energy when work is done on a system of 2 masses connected by a spring
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Force analysis of a spring-bob system
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
823
Problem with when to use Force and Energy. What compresses spring/
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Multiple choice Q: Mangetic fields and Spring Constant
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Springs and Pulleys - Force analysis
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K