Question

A mass of 0.54 kg attached to a vertical spring stretches the spring 36 cm from its original equilibrium position. The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s^2.
What is the spring constant? Answer in units of N/m.

Answer 1

Spring constant is 14.72 N/m

Explanation:

We have for a spring

            Force =  Spring constant x Elongation

            F = kx

Here force is weight of mass

           F = W = mg = 0.54 x 9.81 = 5.3 N

Elongation, x  = 36 cm = 0.36 m

Substituting

           F = kx

           5.3 = k x 0.36

             k = 14.72 N/m

Spring constant is 14.72 N/m