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Potential energy of the elastic spring - problems and solutions

1. A 2-kg mass is attached to a spring. If the elongation of spring is 4 cm, determine potential energy of
elastic spring. Acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :
Mass (m) = 2 kg
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m/s2
Weight (w) = m g = (2)(10) = 20 N
Elongation (x) = 4 cm = 0.04 m
Wanted : Potential energy of elastic spring
Solution :
Formula of Hooke's law :
F=kx
F = force, k = spring constant, x = the change in length of spring

Spring constant :
k = w / x = 20 / 0.04 = 500 N/m

Potential energy of elastic spring :

PE = ½ k x2 = ½ (500)(0.04)2 = (250)(0.0016) = 0.4 Joule

Alternative solution :
PE = ½ k x2 = ½ (w / x) x2 = ½ w x = ½ m g x
w = weight, m = mass, x = the change in length of spring

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