Question

Scenario A: A 3 spring is compressed a distance of 1.0 m. Scenario B: A 6 spring is compressed a distance of 0.8 m. Scenario C: A 9 spring is compressed a distance of 0.6 m. Scenario D: A 12 spring is compressed a distance of 0.4 m. Which scenario generates the most elastic potential energy?

Answer 1

The CORRECT answer is B

Answer 2

Answer:

Scenario B)

Explanation:

The elastic potential energy stored in a spring is given by:

$U=\frac{1}{2}kx^2$

where k is the spring constant and x is the compression/stretching of the spring.

Let's calculate the potential energy of each spring by using this formula:

A) $U=\frac{1}{2}(3 N/m)(1.0 m)^2=1.5 J$

B) $U=\frac{1}{2}(6 N/m)(0.8 m)^2=1.92 J$

C) $U=\frac{1}{2}(9 N/m)(0.6 m)^2=1.62 J$

D)  $U=\frac{1}{2}(12 N/m)(0.4 m)^2=0.96 J$

Therefore, the scenario with most elastic potential energy is B.