Understanding Spring Work: Is it Always Negative?
Discover how work done by springs can be both positive and negative, guided by Hooke's Law.
34 views
Work done by a spring can be positive or negative, depending on the direction of displacement. Hooke’s Law states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to its displacement. If a spring is compressed and released, it does positive work on the object. Conversely, if it opposes the movement, it does negative work.
FAQs & Answers
- What is Hooke's Law? Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to its displacement from the equilibrium position. It can be mathematically expressed as F = -kx, where F is the force, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement.
- When is work done by a spring considered positive? Work done by a spring is considered positive when the spring is compressed and then released, as it exerts force in the direction of the object’s movement.
- In what scenario does a spring do negative work? A spring does negative work when it opposes the direction of displacement. For example, if a spring is stretched while an external force tries to compress it, the work done against the spring's force is negative.
- Can the work done by a spring change based on its displacement? Yes, the work done by a spring changes based on how much it is compressed or stretched since the force it exerts is directly related to its displacement from the equilibrium position.