Pushing on the pump of a soap dispenser compresses a small spring. When the spring is compressed 0.54 cm, its potential energy is 0.0025 J.
(a) What is the force constant of the spring? (answer is in kN/M)
(b) What compression is required for the spring potential energy to equal 0.0078 J? (answer is in cm)

Question

Pushing on the pump of a soap dispenser compresses a small spring. When the spring is compressed 0.54 cm, its potential energy is 0.0025 J.
(a) What is the force constant of the spring? (answer is in kN/M)
(b) What compression is required for the spring potential energy to equal 0.0078 J? (answer is in cm)

anonymous · Answer

hook's law. U = 1/2 k (xf - xi)^2