When is the Work Done by a Spring Considered Positive?
Discover when the work done by a spring is positive, exploring energy transfer and potential energy release.
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Work done by a spring is positive when the spring is returning to its equilibrium position from a compressed or stretched state, meaning it is releasing stored potential energy. This occurs when the spring performs work on another object, transferring energy out of the spring system.
FAQs & Answers
- When is the work done by a spring considered positive? The work done by a spring is considered positive when the spring is returning to its equilibrium position from a compressed or stretched state, releasing stored potential energy.
- What does it mean for a spring to return to its equilibrium position? Returning to its equilibrium position means that the spring is moving back to its natural length after being deformed, where no net force is acting on it.
- How does a spring perform work on another object? A spring performs work on another object by transferring energy as it returns to its equilibrium position, effectively pushing or pulling the object in the process.
- What is stored potential energy in a spring? Stored potential energy in a spring is the energy that is saved when the spring is either compressed or stretched, which can later be released as kinetic energy when the spring returns to its equilibrium state.