Question

Two identical vertical springs S1 and S2 have masses m1 = 400 g and m2 = 800 g attached to them. If m1 causes spring S1 to stretch by 4 cm, what is the ratio of the potential energy of S1 and S2? Use g = 10 m/s^2
Select one:

a. 1:2

b. 4:1

c. 1:4

d. 1:3

e. 2:1​

Answer 1

Answer:

potential energy = mgh

= 400÷1000 × 10× 4÷100

= 0.4 × 10 × 0.04

=4/10 ×10×4/100

= 4/10 × 4/10

=16/100

= 0.16 joules

m1 (400) stretches 4cm

m1 (100g) stretches 1cm

so, m2(800g) stretches 8 cm

potential energy of m2 = mgh

= 800/1000 ×10×8/100

= 0.8 × 0.8

=8/10 ×8/10

= 64/100

=0.64 joules

Ratio of s1 to s2

16/100 ÷ 64/100

= 1:4 ( answer)