Compute the work (in joules) required to compress a spring 9 cm more when it is already compressed 5 cm, assuming that the spring constant is 𝑘=140 N/m.

Answer 1

Hello Ej,

The expression for the amount of work it takes to compress a spring from a position of 0 meters is W = kx²

A simple approach to this problem would be to calculate the amount of work required to compress the spring a total of 14 cm (9 cm + 5 cm) minus the amount of work required to compress the spring 5 cm.

In order to plug all the relevant values into the equation above, some conversions need to take place. Centimeters mush be converted to meters. So, 14 cm becomes 0.14 m and 5 cm becomes 0.05 m. Then the answer will be:

W = 140 N/m * (0.14 m)² - 140 N/m * (0.05 m)² = 2.39 Joules