Physics Problem: Spring Displacement Calculation

What is the displacement of a spring with a 25 kg bag of flour set on a scale that has a spring constant constant of k = 70 N/m?

A. 3.5 meters

Answer:

The displacement of a spring with a 25 kg bag of flour set on a scale, assuming a spring constant of 70 N/m, is 3.5 meters.

Spring physics problems are always fascinating to solve, especially when it involves calculating displacements based on Hooke's Law. In this scenario, we are given a 25 kg bag of flour placed on a scale with a spring constant of 70 N/m.

When a mass is placed on the scale, it exerts a force on the spring due to gravity. Using Hooke's Law equation, F = k*x, where F is the force applied, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement of the spring, we can calculate the displacement. In this case, the force exerted by the 25 kg bag of flour is 245 N (mass * gravity).

By dividing the force by the spring constant, we get the displacement of the spring, which is 3.5 meters in this case. This calculation helps us understand how different weights impact the spring's displacement based on its spring constant.