Simple spring problem (need someone's help)

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In summary, an elevator with a particle hanging from a spring suspended from the ceiling descends at a constant speed. When the elevator suddenly stops, the spring oscillates. To find the magnitude of this oscillation, you need to consider the mass and take into account the potential energy of the system. Simply equating the kinetic energy of the elevator with the potential energy of the spring may not be enough.
  • #1
Kenny Lee
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An elevator descends at constant speed v.
There is a spring suspended from the elevator's ceiling, and a particle is hanging off it. It is at rest relative to the elevator.
Suddenly the elevator stops. At what magnitude does the spring oscillate?

IS it possible to obtain an answer to this question, without considering the mass?
Cause what I did was just equate 1/2 mv^2 with 1/2 kA^2, the total energy of a spring system. Is that valid? Please, any advice at all.

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
It looks valid. You need the mass to solve this problem.
 
  • #3
yea, you sure? was really confused cause question's got no info at all. Thanks.
 
  • #4
Also, don't forget to take the potential energy into account.
 

1. What is a simple spring problem?

A simple spring problem is a type of physics problem that involves analyzing the behavior of a spring when it is stretched or compressed. It typically involves calculating the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the spring in response to an applied force.

2. How do you solve a simple spring problem?

To solve a simple spring problem, you first need to identify the known values, such as the spring constant and the force applied. Then, you can use Newton's Second Law (F=ma) and Hooke's Law (F=-kx) to calculate the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the spring. Finally, you can use these values to determine the answer to the problem.

3. What is Hooke's Law and how is it related to simple spring problems?

Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the amount that the spring is stretched or compressed. This means that as the displacement of the spring increases, the force exerted by the spring also increases. Hooke's Law is used in simple spring problems to calculate the force exerted by the spring.

4. What is the spring constant and how do you calculate it?

The spring constant is a measure of the stiffness of a spring. It is represented by the letter k and is measured in units of newtons per meter (N/m). To calculate the spring constant, you can use the equation k=F/x, where F is the force applied to the spring and x is the displacement of the spring.

5. What are some real-life applications of simple spring problems?

Simple spring problems have many real-life applications, such as in the design of shock absorbers in cars, the suspension system of a bicycle, and the operation of a door hinge. They are also used in engineering and construction to ensure that structures can withstand external forces without breaking or collapsing.

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