eurekameh
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Is this answer wrong? I think they've made a mistake in the work done by the spring, which I think should be (1/2)(135)(0.5)^3?
Solve the Work-Energy Problem: Is There a Mistake?
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Is this answer wrong? I think they've made a mistake in the work done by the spring, which I think should be (1/2)(135)(0.5)^3?
Steely Dan
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No, the potential energy of a spring is indeed [itex]U = \frac{1}{2} k x^2[/itex]. If you want to think of it as work, then know that the spring force is [itex]F = k x[/itex], so the work done is
[tex]W = \int F dx = \int k x dx= \frac{1}{2} k x^2,[/tex]
which is the same answer.
[tex]W = \int F dx = \int k x dx= \frac{1}{2} k x^2,[/tex]
which is the same answer.