How Much Work Is Needed to Compress a Spring?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done to compress a spring, specifically using the spring constant and the distance of compression. The subject area is related to mechanics and energy in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the work formula for springs but expresses confusion over the calculations leading to an incorrect result. Some participants suggest a potential error in the multiplication factor used in the equation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing feedback on the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct application of the formula, but no consensus has been reached regarding the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates frustration with the calculations and mentions a discrepancy between their result and the expected answer. There is a focus on ensuring the correct application of the formula, particularly regarding the multiplication factor.

Chica1975
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Homework Statement


A spring, with a spring constant of 87 N/m, was compressed a distance of 8.6cm (0.086m). How much work was done in order to compress the spring?


Homework Equations


WC=1/2kd^2


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to plug in the numbers as follows in the above equation - but I can't get the answer out. I have been doing this for ages am like a broken record - pse snap me out of this programming!

WC= 2*87*.086^2 = 1.286904J
Apparently, the correct answer is .32J

Help!
 
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you are off by a factor of 4
you multiplied by 2
maybe you were supposed to multiply by 1/2
 
thanks - I tried to recalculate it this is not the case.
 
Chica1975 said:

Homework Equations


WC=1/2kd^2
According to this equation, you are supposed to multiply kd2 by 1/2, not by 2.
 

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