Force constant/spring problem

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In summary, a force constant or spring constant is a measure of the stiffness of a spring and represents the force required to stretch or compress it. It is calculated by dividing the applied force by the displacement and affects the behavior of a spring by determining how much force is needed to change its length. Hooke's Law, which relates the force applied to a spring to its displacement, includes the force constant as a key component. In real-world applications, the force constant is used to describe the behavior of springs and other elastic materials and is utilized in calculations and designs for structures involving springs.
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A spring with a forces of 90N/m is compressed 8.8cm between two carts with mass of 1kg and 1.5kg. Friction is negligible, what is the final speed of the more massive of the bigger cart when the spring is released?
 
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v = +- v0sqrt(1-x^2/A^2)
 
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To solve this problem, we can use the formula for potential energy stored in a spring: PE = 1/2kx^2, where k is the force constant and x is the displacement of the spring.

In this case, we are given the force constant (k = 90N/m) and the displacement (x = 8.8cm = 0.088m). Therefore, the potential energy stored in the spring is:

PE = 1/2 * 90N/m * (0.088m)^2 = 0.35 J

Since the system is assumed to have no energy losses due to friction, this potential energy will be converted into kinetic energy when the spring is released. We can use the formula for kinetic energy: KE = 1/2mv^2, where m is the mass of the cart and v is its final velocity.

Since we are interested in the final velocity of the more massive cart, we can set up the following equation:

0.35 J = 1/2 * (1.5kg) * v^2

Solving for v, we get v = 0.53 m/s. Therefore, the final speed of the more massive cart when the spring is released is 0.53 m/s.
 

1. What is a force constant in a spring problem?

A force constant, also known as a spring constant, is a measure of the stiffness of a spring. It represents the amount of force required to stretch or compress a spring by a certain distance.

2. How is force constant calculated?

The force constant (k) can be calculated by dividing the force applied (F) by the displacement (x): k = F/x. It is measured in units of newtons per meter (N/m).

3. How does the force constant affect the behavior of a spring?

The force constant determines how much force is required to stretch or compress a spring. A higher force constant means the spring is stiffer and requires more force to change its length, while a lower force constant means the spring is more flexible and requires less force to change its length.

4. What is Hooke's Law and how does it relate to force constant?

Hooke's Law states that the force applied to a spring is directly proportional to the spring's displacement from its equilibrium position, as long as the spring does not exceed its elastic limit. This relationship is represented by the equation F = -kx, where k is the force constant. Therefore, the force constant is a fundamental component of Hooke's Law.

5. How is force constant used in real-world applications?

The force constant is used in various fields, such as engineering, physics, and biology, to describe the behavior of springs and other elastic materials. It is also used in calculations to determine the potential energy stored in a spring and to design and optimize structures that involve springs, such as shock absorbers and suspension systems.

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