Spring Pull Q1: Bob's End Moves 20cm

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The discussion centers on the mechanics of a spring subjected to forces, specifically analyzing a spring stretched by Bob's 200N pull resulting in a 20cm extension. When used in a tug-of-war scenario, both Bob and Carlos exert equal forces of 200N on either end of the spring. The consensus is that Bob's end of the spring moves 10cm, as the total stretch remains consistent at 20cm, with the wall providing an equal and opposite force that stabilizes the spring's position.

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1. The left end of a spring is attached to a wall, When Bob pulls on the right end with a 200N force, he stretches the spring my 20cm. The same spring is then used for a tug-of-war between Bob and Carlos. Each pulls on his end of the spring with a 200N force. How far does Bob's end of the spring move?



2. F=kx



3. Isn't this the same principal as the spring being attached to the wall. Doesn't the wall exert an equal and opposite 200N force since the spring does not move once it is strecthed? If this is so, I believe the answer would be 10cm, because Carlos pulls the spring another 10cm.
 
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Sounds good to me. The key is to realize that the total stretch of the spring is the same in both cases.
 

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