What Happens to the Excess Energy in a Compressed Spring?

[jd12345]

If you apply a force F and compress a spring of spring constant k by x distance what is the work done by us?
I know energy stored is 1/2kx² but is the work done by us the same?
We are applying a cosntant force F and dispalcement is x so work done by us should be Fx right? And F = kx so work done by us is kx²

Where does the other 1/2kx² go?

 

[Doc Al]

Where does the other 1/2kx² go?

Imagine there was a mass on the end of the spring. If you used the minimum force required to compress the spring, then that force would vary from 0 (at the start) to the maximum value of kX at full compression. The work you'd do would equal 1/2kx². But if you use a constant force F = kX to compress the spring, then the extra work that you do goes into increasing the kinetic energy of the mass.

 

[truesearch]

I agree with DocAl
When you start to compress(or stretch) the spring you start with zero force and increase to final force,F and F = kx. The work done = average force x extension.
If the spring behaves linearly the average force = F/2 therefore work done = kx/2 . x
= 0.5kx^2

 

[jd12345]

Okay thank you - but one more doubt
Suppsoe a mass m attached to a spring with charge q. Suddenly electric field is switched on so it will exert a constant force right? So in this case the other 1/kx^2 goes into kinetic energy and the spring oscillates? Have i got it right?

 

[Doc Al]

That's right. The mass will oscillate about the new equilibrium point (where the net force on the mass is zero).