The problem involves calculating the stored energy in the main spring of a wind-up watch, given that a person does 0.02 Joules of work while winding it. The context is rooted in the principles of energy conservation and potential energy.
The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of the work-energy principle. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between work and potential energy, but there is no explicit consensus on the final interpretation of the problem.
Participants note the absence of specific details such as force and distance, which are typically required for a complete analysis. The assumption of no energy loss to friction is also a key point of discussion.
kelcijade said:Homework Statement
A person does .02 Joules of work winding a watch. Assuming NO loss of energy to friction, how much energy is stored in the watch's main spring?
Homework Equations
PE=1/2kx^2 ?? I have no idea..
The Attempt at a Solution
I've gotten nowhere trying to do this problem without other information, such as mass or length.
Thank you for looking and helping!
kelcijade said:The unit of energy is just Joules.. Right? Well in this case.
So would it just be a potential energy of .02J since the total work done is calculated by the Newtons of force and meters which they don't give in the problem?
berkeman said:Correct. As Halls alludes to, since there is no energy lost to friction, all of the work has to go into storing potential energy in the spring. Good job!