Question

Spring A has a spring constant of 5 N/m and spring B has a force constant of 9 N/m. A weight of 2 kg is applied to spring A and a weight of 10 kg is applied to spring B. Which of the following is true for the final displacements of springs A and B?
a) Spring B has a larger displacement than spring A. b) Spring A has a larger displacement than spring B. c) Spring A and spring B have the same displacement.

Answer 1

Answer: Option A.

Spring B has a larger displacement that spring A.

Explanation:

Spring B has a larger displacement that spring A .

By using Hooke's law.

F=-Kx

Where F is force, K is spring constant and x is displacement.

For spring a

Weight / force is 2 kg

Spring constant (K) is 5/nm

Therefore,

F=-Kx

2=-5x

X=2/-5

X= -0.4m

For spring B.

Weight is 10Kg

Spring constant is 9N/m

F=-Kx

10=-9x

X=-10/9

=-1.1m

Therefore Spring B have larger displacement than spring A.

In Hooke's law, negative sign that is present on the spring's force indicate that the force exerted by the spring opposes the spring's displacement.