Solving Spring Constant: A 760N Weight Puzzle

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the spring constant using a weight of 760 N that compresses a spring by 0.82 cm. The attempted solution yielded a spring constant of 926.829 N/m, which was not accepted by the online platform. The user later realized the importance of unit conversion, suggesting that the error may stem from improper unit handling. Part B of the problem, which calculates the weight of another person compressing the spring by 0.34 cm, was solved correctly with an answer of 315.12195 N. The conversation highlights the significance of accurate unit usage in physics calculations.
GeoKenshin
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A person who weighs 760 N steps onto a spring scale in the bathroom, and the spring compresses by 0.82 cm.

a. What is the spring constant?

B. What is the weight of another person who compresses the spring by 0.34 cm?


Homework Equations



FApplied = kx

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm having trouble with part A. I got the correct answer of 315.12195N for part B.

For part a i set it up as 760 = .82k and got 926.829 N/m but webassign will not accept it as correct. It has to be right because I got part B of the question correct with it.

I tried 927, 926.8 and 926.82926 N/m. Am I doing something wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Be careful with units.
 
ah...i see now. thanks!
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Spring Problem Involving Variables and Constants Only
Replies
3
Views
1K
Question about springs and rotational/translational energy
Replies
4
Views
1K
Spring constant of a car on springs
Replies
7
Views
7K
Problem with solving for force constant k of spring?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Finding effective spring constants
Replies
2
Views
4K
How High Does Cheese Rise on a Released Spring?
Replies
1
Views
1K
A block of mass m is dropped onto the top of a vertical spring....
Replies
8
Views
5K
Solve Spring Constant Homework Confusion
Replies
3
Views
1K
Calculating spring constant of a spring loaded cannon
Replies
7
Views
3K
Time period of SHM & Energy conservation in pulley-spring-block system
Replies
24
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top