What Is the Natural Length of the Spring?

[astrololo]

Homework Statement

A block is fixed on the extremity of a mobile ideal spring that is horizontal and which has the other side of it fixed (Non mobile). When the length of the spring is 50 cm, the block has a force of 5 N on the right; When the length of the spring is 80 cm, the block has a force of 10 N vers the left. What is the natural length of the spring and what is the spring constant?

Image of the situation : http://imgur.com/RN7Hv3T

Homework Equations

e=L-Lnat
F=k*Absolutevalue(e)

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that the natural length is going to be between 50 and 80 cm and that the natural length is going to be closer to 50 cm because the force is 5 N which indicates that we don't put a lot of pressure on it. Other than that, I have no idea where to go next.

 

[Student100]

Homework Statement

A block is fixed on the extremity of a mobile ideal spring that is horizontal and which has the other side of it fixed (Non mobile). When the length of the spring is 50 cm, the block has a force of 5 N on the right; When the length of the spring is 80 cm, the block has a force of 10 N vers the left. What is the natural length of the spring and what is the spring constant?

Image of the situation : http://imgur.com/RN7Hv3T

Homework Equations

e=L-Lnat
F=k*Absolutevalue(e)

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that the natural length is going to be between 50 and 80 cm and that the natural length is going to be closer to 50 cm because the force is 5 N which indicates that we don't put a lot of pressure on it. Other than that, I have no idea where to go next.

Whats the work done for each displacement?

 

[astrololo]

Whats the work done for each displacement?

You mean what have I done so far ? Nothing...

 

[Student100]

You mean what have I done so far ? Nothing...

No I mean what's the work required to compress the string to 50 cm or stretch it to 80 cm?

 

[astrololo]

No I mean what's the work required to compress the string to 50 cm or stretch it to 80 cm?

Oh, I guess that if we want to maintain it stable, then it's going to be -5 N on the left and 10 N on the right. So it's the inverse.

 

[Student100]

Oh, I guess that if we want to maintain it stable, then it's going to be -5 N on the left and 10 N on the right. So it's the inverse.

Remember that work is $w=\vec{F}\cdot\vec{R}$, one dimensional (this problem) we can write $w=F_xR_x$

The spring is compressed in the first case from some natural length, and stretched in the second. We can write work in terms of some variable, L.

 

[astrololo]

Remember that work is $w=\vec{F}\cdot\vec{R}$, one dimensional (this problem) we can write $w=(F_x)(R_x)$

Sorry but we didn't see this yet. Also, my problem sindicates that this exercice's solution doesn't any complex/hard algebra or a calculator.

 

[Student100]

Sorry but we didn't see this yet. Also, my problem sindicates that this exercice's solution doesn't any complex/hard algebra or a calculator.

Then the rabbit hole I'm going to lead you down probably isn't the easiest way to do this problem. If no one else has responded when I get home I'll take a second look.

 

[astrololo]

Then the rabbit hole I'm going to lead you down probably isn't the easiest way to do this problem. If no one else has responded when I get home I'll take a second look.

Thank you, I got some other things to do so I'm patient with this.

 

[Nathanael]

Use your "Relevant equations" to write a system of two equations for the forces. It will involve two unknowns, the spring's constant and the spring's rest length.

 

[astrololo]

Use your "Relevant equations" to write a system of two equations for the forces. It will involve two unknowns, the spring's constant and the spring's rest length.

Thank you ! I didn't realize that it was a system of equation. The worse is that I was able to get the two equations previously but I didn't realize that I had a system ! Thank you again !