Question

Read each scenario and then answer the 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

Answer:

Scenario B

Explanation:

The elastic potential energy of 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 string.

Let's apply this formula to calculate the elastic potential energy for each scenario:

- Scenario A: $U=\frac{1}{2}(3)(1.0 m)^2=1.50 J$

- Scenario B: $U=\frac{1}{2}(6)(0.8 m)^2=1.92 J$

- Scenario C: $U=\frac{1}{2}(9)(0.6 m)^2=1.62 J$

- Scenario D: $U=\frac{1}{2}(12)(0.4 m)^2=0.96 J$

So, scenario B is the one that generates the most elastic potential energy.