How Does Jumping from a Height Affect the Reading on a Bathroom Scale?

AI Thread Summary
Jumping onto a bathroom scale from a height of 2.0 m affects the reading due to the conversion of gravitational potential energy into spring potential energy. The initial weight reading is 805 N, with the spring compressing 0.50 mm under this weight. At the peak compression, all gravitational potential energy (mgh) is converted into spring potential energy (1/2 kx^2). The correct approach involves setting mgh equal to the energy stored in the spring, rather than using F=kx directly. This discussion highlights the importance of understanding energy transformations in physics.
physicsss
Messages
319
Reaction score
0
If you stand on a bathroom scale, the spring inside the scale compresses 0.50 mm, and it tells you your weight is 805 N. Now if you jump on the scale from a height of 2.0 m, what does the scale read at its peak?

I used F=kx, and solved for k...but I don't know what to do after that...do I set

mgh=kx, where m is 805/9.8 and h is 2.0m?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
physicsss said:
I used F=kx, and solved for k...but I don't know what to do after that...do I set

mgh=kx, where m is 805/9.8 and h is 2.0m?

The idea is correct.
At the point where the spring is compressed the most, all gravitational potential energy has been converted to potential energy in the spring.

However, the energy stored in the spring is not kx.
 
mgh=1/2kx^2?
 
Yes, physicss
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

How Does a Pulley System Affect Scale Readings?
Replies
8
Views
1K
Spacetime Physics (2nd ed.) problem 2-2: Bathroom scale and a Trampoline
Replies
5
Views
1K
How Much Does the Spring Compress When a Man Jumps on a Scale?
Replies
1
Views
2K
What Does a Spring Scale Read at Peak When Jumped On?
Replies
4
Views
5K
Bathroom scale being compressed but jumping on it
Replies
13
Views
9K
What is k for the bottom spring?
Replies
9
Views
2K
What Does the Scale Read at Its Peak When You Jump from 1.3m?
Replies
4
Views
19K
A block of mass m is dropped onto the top of a vertical spring....
Replies
8
Views
5K
Mass vs. weight with a falling rock and a spring scale
Replies
8
Views
4K
Critically Damped Bathroom Scale
Replies
2
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top