What is the Elastic Potential Energy of a Toy Car's Spring?

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SUMMARY

The elastic potential energy (EPE) stored in a toy car's spring with a force constant of 550 N/m, when compressed by 0.012 m, is calculated using the formula EPE = 0.5 * k * x². Substituting the values, EPE = 0.5 * 550 N/m * (0.012 m)² results in an energy value of 0.0396 Joules. It is crucial to round the final answer to four decimal places and include the appropriate units in the response.

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  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and spring constants
  • Familiarity with the formula for elastic potential energy
  • Basic knowledge of units of measurement in physics
  • Ability to perform calculations involving squares and multiplication
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Leah12
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The force constant of the spring in a child’s toy car is 550 N/m. How much elastic potential energy is stored in the spring if the spring is compressed a distance of 0.012m?

The formula for spring force is F =kx

When I do 550 x 0.012m I get 6.6 but I am supposed to round my answer four decimal places so I must be doing something wrong.
 
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You need to use the formula for spring potential energy, not spring force. (Look it up!)
 
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... and state the units in your answer.
 

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