Please explain why you think it is positive.GBA13 said:Homework Statement
Hi,
I am thinking about a stretched spring with a mass on it. When the spring is fully extended and has just started to pull the mass back towards the equilibrium point, is the work positive or negative?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
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I think as the spring is pulling the mass then work is positive but I'm not sure. Thanks!
Stretched spring work refers to the amount of energy that is stored in a spring when it is stretched or compressed. This energy is known as potential energy and is measured in joules.
The work done on a stretched spring is calculated by multiplying the force applied to the spring by the distance it is stretched. This can be represented by the equation W = F * x, where W is the work, F is the force, and x is the distance.
The work done on a stretched spring is affected by the amount of force applied, the distance the spring is stretched, and the spring constant, which is a measure of the stiffness of the spring.
One example of stretched spring work in real life is a pogo stick. When a person jumps on a pogo stick, the spring inside is compressed and stores potential energy. This energy is then released as the person bounces up and down, converting potential energy into kinetic energy.
Hooke's law states that the force applied to a spring is directly proportional to the amount the spring is stretched or compressed. This means that as the spring is stretched, the work done on the spring increases proportionally.