Mass attached to spring on frictionless table

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving an ideal spring attached to a 10 kg block on a frictionless table and a 2 kg block hanging from a massless string over a frictionless pulley. When the system reaches equilibrium, the spring stretches to a length of 0.20 m from its original length of 0.10 m. Participants are tasked with calculating the tension in the string and the force constant of the spring using the fundamental equation F=ma.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and spring constants
  • Knowledge of Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
  • Familiarity with equilibrium conditions in physics
  • Basic concepts of pulleys and tension in strings
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the tension in the string using the equilibrium condition for the hanging mass.
  • Determine the force constant of the spring using the extension and the weight of the block.
  • Explore the implications of frictionless surfaces in mechanical systems.
  • Review problems involving multiple masses and pulleys for deeper understanding.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators looking for examples of spring dynamics and equilibrium problems.

cflemer
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Homework Statement


An ideal spring of an un-stretched length 0.10 m is placed horizontally on a frictionless table. One end of the spring is fixed and the other end is attached to block of mass M = 10 kg. The 10 kg block is also attached to a massless string that passes over a small frictionless pulley. A block of mass m = 2 kg hangs from the other end of the string. When this spring-and-blocks system is in equilibrium, the length of the spring is .20 m.

Calculate tension in the string.

Calculate the force constant of the spring.

(there is a diagram, but it is complicated and I don't know how i would get it on here)


Homework Equations


F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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cflemer said:
An ideal spring of an un-stretched length 0.10 m is placed horizontally on a frictionless table. One end of the spring is fixed and the other end is attached to block of mass M = 10 kg. The 10 kg block is also attached to a massless string that passes over a small frictionless pulley. A block of mass m = 2 kg hangs from the other end of the string. When this spring-and-blocks system is in equilibrium, the length of the spring is .20 m.

Calculate tension in the string.

Calculate the force constant of the spring.

Hi cflemer !Welcome to PF! :smile:

(there's no need for a diagram … your description is fine :smile:)

Show us what you've tried, and where you're stuck, and then we'll know how to help. :wink:
 

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