Compute the work required to stretch a spring from equilibrium to 11 cm past equilibrium, assuming that the spring constant is k = 100 kg/s^2.

Answer 1

The work required to stretch a spring by a displacement x from equilibrium is W = kx²/2.

Note that kg/s² units for k is the same as N/m. We are stretching the spring by 0.11 m.

So in this case, the work is (100 N/m)(0.11 m)²/2 = 1.21 N·m = 1.21 J.