What Does a Spring Scale Read at Peak When Jumped On?

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The discussion centers on calculating the peak reading of a spring scale when a person jumps on it from a height of 1.2 meters. The spring compresses 0.50 mm under a weight of 740 N, leading to the determination of the spring constant (k) as 1.48 x 10^6 N/m. Participants confirm the use of the formula for kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE) to analyze the scenario. The conversation emphasizes the application of energy conservation principles in this context.

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If you stand on a bathroom scale, the spring inside the scale compresses 0.50 mm, and it tells you your weight is 740 N. Now if you jump on the scale from a height of 1.2 m, what does the scale read at its peak?


I'm guessing you use 1/2kx^2 but otherwise, I'm not sure.
 
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Hi fender5791! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)
fender5791 said:
If you stand on a bathroom scale, the spring inside the scale compresses 0.50 mm, and it tells you your weight is 740 N.

ok, so what is the value of k? :smile:

(and yes, you can use 1/2 kx2 later)
 
So would k be (740N)/(.0005m) = 1.48x10^6 N/m?
 
Yup! :biggrin:

Now use KE + PE = constant.​
 
Got it, thanks.
 

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