# Where does the missing energy go?

1. May 31, 2009

### audjobman

Where does the missing energy go?!!

When suspending a mass from a spring, we can determine the distance the spring is stretched by using mg=kx. However, if we consider the energy transferred, the gravitational potential energy lost by the mass should equal the energy stored in the spring, no?

But when I use $$\Delta$$Eg=mg$$\Delta$$h and Ep=½2x2, and I consider that the change in height for the mass and the distance the spring is stretched are the same, then:

mgx=½kx^2

Simplifying this gives me mg=½kx. So, where does the other half of the energy go?

I've tried considering that it must be converted to kinetic energy or thermal energy but I've conducted the experiment and, when the mass is gently lowered to rest, there is no significant heating of the spring that I can see and there is no apparent kinetic energy. Am I missing something?

2. May 31, 2009

Staff Emeritus
Re: Where does the missing energy go?!!

The force increases with distance. The average force is not kx but half that.

3. May 31, 2009

### Staff: Mentor

Re: Where does the missing energy go?!!

When you gently lower the mass, you exert a force on the mass which does negative work. You essentially absorb that energy in your muscles, turning it into internal energy ("heat"). If you didn't exert that force--if you just let the mass drop onto the spring--then the mass would end up with kinetic energy.

4. May 31, 2009

### Bob_for_short

Re: Where does the missing energy go?!!

The equation mg=kx gives you the equilibrium distance, let us call it x0. Of course, the potential energy at this position is mgx0=(1/2)kx02.

But if you attach the mass at x=0 and let it go, the force mg will make larger work: the mass will pass by the equilibrium position and will go down, to 2x0. Then the mass will oscillate around the equilibrium position. While passing x0, the mass will also have a kinetic energy.

Bob.

Last edited: May 31, 2009
5. May 31, 2009

Re: Where does the missing energy go?!!

And extending Doc als and Bob for shorts answers the vibrations will die down as energy is lost to the surroundings and the mass will eventually come to rest at its equilibrium position.