How Is Spring Stiffness Calculated in Physics Problems?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around the calculation of spring stiffness in the context of a physics problem involving a mass attached to a spring in circular motion. The original poster presents a scenario where a rock is swung in a circle, and they seek assistance in determining the spring stiffness after calculating the speed of the rock.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find the spring stiffness after calculating the speed of the rock using the formula for centripetal force. Some participants introduce Hooke's law to clarify the relationship between force and spring constant. Others question the assumptions regarding the spring's elasticity and the change in length.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and clarifying concepts related to spring stiffness. Some guidance has been provided regarding the application of Hooke's law, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the spring's relaxed length and the nature of elasticity in the context of the problem. There may be assumptions about the spring's behavior that are being questioned.

ohheytai
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what is the spring stiffness?!??!

In outer space a rock of mass 4 kg is attached to a long spring and swung at constant speed in a circle of radius 6 m. The spring exerts a force of constant magnitude 720 N. What is the speed of the rock?

i found the speed it is 32.8 m/s

part 2:
The relaxed length of the spring is 5.7 m. What is the stiffness of this spring?

thats what i have no idea about could someone help lead me in the direction of solving it or show me how? please and thanks!



Homework Equations


i used F=mv^2/r to get speed
 
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Hooke's law:
F=-Kx

x is the change in length of the spring due to a force F.
K is the the spring constant or "stiffness"
 


thanks!
 


what are you talking about it changes from 6m to 5.7m, there is no material in the world with no elasticity.
 

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