Spring Stretch in Car Towing: How Far Does the Spring Extend?

[zachattackback]

Homework Statement

A car towing a 92 kg trailor with a spring between the car and the trailor. the accelertion of the car is .3. the spring constant is 2300
how far is the spring stretched

Homework Equations

Fs=kx

The Attempt at a Solution

Fs=kx
ma=kx
(92)(.3)=2300x
x=.012m

i am not sure if that was legal

 

[OlderDan]

Homework Statement

A car towing a 92 kg trailor with a spring between the car and the trailor. the accelertion of the car is .3. the spring constant is 2300
how far is the spring stretched

Homework Equations

Fs=kx

The Attempt at a Solution

Fs=kx
ma=kx
(92)(.3)=2300x
x=.012m

i am not sure if that was legal

It is legal, but it rests on several assumptions.

1) That the units of a are m/s²

2) That the units of k are N/m

3) That the acceleration of the trailor is constant- the length of the spring is constant. In reality, it would not be if the car started moving with constant acceleration at some point in time.

 

[zachattackback]

thanks for the help