Hooke's Law relating spring force F to spring constant k, resting length x0, and stretched length x:John O' Meara said:I just have no idea how to approach this simple problem.
When a 300g mass is hung from the end of a vertical spring, the spring's length is 40 cm. With 500g hanging from it, its length is 50cm. What is the spring constant of the spring (N/m)?
The spring constant, also known as the force constant, is a measure of how stiff or flexible a spring is. It is represented by the letter k and has the unit of Newtons per meter (N/m).
The spring constant can be calculated by dividing the force applied to the spring by the displacement it causes. This can be represented by the equation k = F/x, where k is the spring constant, F is the force, and x is the displacement.
The spring constant determines the amount of force required to stretch or compress a spring by a certain distance. A higher spring constant means the spring is stiffer and requires more force to stretch or compress, while a lower spring constant means the spring is more flexible and requires less force.
No, the spring constant can vary depending on the type of spring. For example, a metal spring may have a higher spring constant than a rubber spring due to the different materials and structures used in their construction.
Yes, the spring constant can change if the physical characteristics of the spring, such as its length or material, are altered. Additionally, the spring constant may vary depending on the amount of force applied to the spring.