Solving for Work Done on Compressing Spring: What Am I Doing Wrong?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done on compressing a spring, specifically using a spring with a force constant of 290.0 N/m and a compression distance of 12.3 mm. The original poster attempts to apply the work formula but arrives at a different answer than expected.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the original poster's calculations and question the appropriateness of using a constant force for varying distances. They explore the concept of elastic potential energy and its relation to work done on the spring.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging in a productive dialogue, with some suggesting alternative approaches to the problem, such as considering the potential energy of the spring. There is an exploration of the conservation of energy principle in relation to the work done on the spring.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication that the original poster may be misunderstanding the application of force over a distance in the context of spring compression, as well as the relationship between work and potential energy.

dcgirl16
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I have this question
THe work done to compress a spring with a force constant of 290.0 N/m a total of 12.3mm is.. and the answer is .0219J but i can't get this answer
This is what i did
F=kx
F=290(.0123)
F=3.567

W=Fcos0 d
W=3.567(.0123)
.0439J

What am i doing wrong??
 
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Notice the force is different for different distances, thus, Fd doesn't really work here.

Do you know what the potential energy is for a spring with spring constant k compressed a distance of x?
 
do you mean the elastic potential Ee=1/2kx2
and then would i use that in the work equation?
 
It's conservation of energy. Work must have been done against the spring to give the spring that potential energy.
 

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