How to Calculate Work Done by Stretching a Spring Using Hooke's Law
Learn how to calculate the work done in stretching a spring using Hooke's Law with our simple formula and steps.
80 views
Finding the work done by stretching a spring involves using Hooke's Law: W = 1/2 k x^2, where W is the work done, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement. Measure the spring's displacement from its rest position and apply the formula to calculate the work done.
FAQs & Answers
- What is Hooke's Law? Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the displacement from its rest position, as long as the elastic limit is not exceeded. It can be expressed as F = kx, where F is the force, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement.
- How do I measure the spring constant? To measure the spring constant (k), you can hang a known weight from the spring and measure the resulting displacement. You can then calculate k using Hooke's Law: k = F/x, where F is the weight's force (mg) and x is the displacement.
- How is work calculated when stretching a spring? The work (W) done in stretching a spring can be calculated using the formula W = 1/2 k x^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the distance stretched from the rest position. This formula derives from the integral of the force over the distance.
- Why is work done by stretching a spring important? Understanding the work done by stretching a spring is important in physics and engineering as it helps in designing spring systems in various applications, such as vehicle suspensions, toys, and machinery.