Understanding Work Done by a Spring Force in a Closed Cycle
Discover why the work done by a spring force over a full cycle is zero, involving potential energy and conservative forces.
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The work done by a spring force round the trip is zero. When a spring is compressed or stretched, it stores potential energy. As it returns to its original position, the energy is fully recovered, resulting in no net work done over the complete cycle. This is because work done by conservative forces, like spring force, in a closed cycle is always zero due to the energy stored and released being equal.
FAQs & Answers
- What is the work done by a spring force during compression? The work done by a spring force during compression is positive as energy is stored in the form of potential energy. However, when the spring returns to its original position, this work is recovered.
- Is the work done by a spring force always zero? The net work done by a spring force in a complete cycle is zero due to the conservation of energy, as the potential energy is fully converted back to kinetic energy without any losses.
- Why is spring force considered a conservative force? Spring force is considered a conservative force because the work done by the spring depends only on the initial and final positions, not on the path taken, and the energy stored can be completely recovered.
- What happens to energy when a spring returns to its equilibrium position? When a spring returns to its equilibrium position, the potential energy stored during compression or stretching is converted back into kinetic energy, resulting in no net work done over the complete cycle.