Work done to move spring displacement

[gunster]

Homework Statement

A spring has a relaxed length of 5 cm and a
stiffness of 95 N/m. How much work must you
do to change its length from 2 cm to 10 cm?

k=95
Lnull=0.05
delta x = .1-.02 = 0.08

Homework Equations

F=-kx
W=Fdcostheta

The Attempt at a Solution

I honestly have tried everything and am beginning to think I am way off the mark and missed something. But what i tried was

W = Fdcostheta where F = -kx

Therefore, since force changes direction after the displacement is past the relaxed spring length, i used:

W = -95 * (0.05-0.02) * (0.05-0.02) cos 0 + -95 * (0.1-0.5) * (0.1-0.5) cos 180


But that was apparently completely wrong. any help please?

 

[DukeLuke]

F = F d \cos \theta is only valid if the force is constant over the distance (not a function of x in this case). Your force is a function of x, so you will have to integrate to get the work. It's possible you can solve the problem with a energy approach if integrals are beyond your course material.

W = \int F(x) dx

 

[gunster]

EDIT: nvm realized my mistake was suppose to subtract

Thanks a lot for reminding me force is not constant XD