Question

Write an equation for the work necessary to stretch the spring from the relaxed state to distance x1

Answer 1

The equation stems from the principle concept of Hooke's Law. After derivation, the general equation for finding the work of a stretch spring is written below:

W = k[(x₂ - x₁) + (x₁ - xn)]
where
k is the spring constant
xn is the natural length of the spring
x₁ is the length after stretching
x₂ is the length after stretching even further

Suppose the spring was only stretched once, then x₁ = x₂. The equation is simplified to:
W = k(x₁ - xn)