
The spring force equation, derived from Hooke’s law, is expressed as Fs = k Δx, where Fs represents the spring force, k is the spring constant, and Δx denotes the displacement from the equilibrium position of the spring. This equation enables the calculation of the force exerted by a spring on an object. The sign of Δx indicates whether the spring is stretched (+ve) or compressed (-ve).
Practice problems
Problem #1
Calculate the force exerted by a spring on a block when the block, attached to a spring with a natural length of 25 cm, moves rightwards and stretches the spring by 50 cm. The spring constant is 75 N/m.
Solution
Given data:
- Force exerted by spring on a block, Fs = ?
- Initial length of a spring, x0 = 25 cm = 0.25 m
- Final length of a spring, x = 50 cm = 0.5 m
- Spring constant, k = 75 N/m
Applying the formula:
- Fs = k Δx = k × (x – x0)
- Fs = 75 × (0.5 – 0.25)
- Fs = 75 × 0.25
- Fs = 18.75 N
Therefore, the force exerted by spring on a block is -18.75 N. (left)
Problem #2
Determine the force exerted by a spring on a block when the block, attached to a spring with a natural length of 15 cm, moves leftwards and compresses the spring by 5 cm. The spring constant is 55 N/m.
Solution
Given data:
- Force exerted by spring on a block, Fs = ?
- Initial length of a spring, x0 = 15 cm = 0.15 m
- Final length of a spring, x = 5 cm = 0.05 m
- Spring constant, k = 55 N/m
Applying the formula:
- Fs = k Δx = k × (x – x0)
- Fs = 55 × (0.05 – 0.15)
- Fs = 55 × (-0.01)
- Fs = -5.5 N
Therefore, the force exerted by spring on a block is 5.5 N. (right)
Problem #3
A spring is in equilibrium, with its left end fixed to a wall and its right end fixed to a wooden crate. When the wooden crate is moved to the right, the spring stretches from a length of 0.5 m to 0.65 m. Calculate the force exerted by the spring on the wooden crate, given that the spring constant is 150 N/m.
Solution
Given data:
- Initial length of a spring, x0 = 0.5 m
- Final length of a spring, x = 0.65 m
- Force exerted by spring on a wooden crate, Fs = ?
- Spring constant, k = 150 N/m
Applying the formula:
- Fs = k Δx = k × (x – x0)
- Fs = 150 × (0.65 – 0.5)
- Fs = 150 × (0.15)
- Fs = 22.5 N
Therefore, the force exerted by spring on a wooden crate is -22.5 N. (left)
Problem #4
A spring is in equilibrium, with its left end fixed to a wall and its right end fixed to a wooden crate. When the wooden crate is moved to the left, the spring compresses from a length of 0.5 m to 0.2 m. Calculate the force exerted by the spring on the wooden crate, given that the spring constant is 170 N/m.
Solution
Given data:
- Initial length of a spring, x0 = 0.5 m
- Final length of a spring, x = 0.2 m
- Force exerted by spring on a wooden crate, Fs = ?
- Spring constant, k = 170 N/m
Applying the formula:
- Fs = k Δx = k × (x – x0)
- Fs = 170 × (0.2 – 0.5)
- Fs = 170 × (-0.3)
- Fs = -51 N
Therefore, the force exerted by spring on a wooden crate is 51 N. (right)
Related
- Force equation
- Normal force equation
- Net force formula
- Applied force formula
- Magnetic force equation
- Centripetal force equation
- Centrifugal force equation
- Spring force equation
- Tension force formula
- Electric force equation
External links
- Hooke’s law – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- How to Calculate the Force of a Spring on an Object – Study.com
- Spring potential energy and Hooke’s law review (article) – Khan Academy
- How to Calculate Spring Force – Sciencing
- Hooke’s law – Wikipedia
- Spring Force Calculator Online – The Spring Store
- How to Calculate a Spring Constant Using Hooke’s Law – Dummies
- Hooke’s Law and Spring Force – StickMan Physics
- Hooke’s Law Calculator – Omni Calculator
- Hooke’s Law Calculator F = -kx – Calculator Soup
- 4.5 Normal, Tension, and Spring Forces – BCcampus Pressbooks
- AP Physics 1 : Spring Force – Varsity Tutors
- 2.7: Spring Force- Hooke’s Law – Physics LibreTexts
- Work by Variable Force, and Spring Force – Rochester Institute of Technology
- Motion of a Mass on a Spring – The Physics Classroom
- Spring Force: Definition, Formula & Examples – Vaia
- Hooke’s law – Xaktly
- A Hooke’s Law Spring Determine the Spring Constant – Temple Mathematics
- Calculate the Spring Constant Using Hooke’s Law: Formula, Examples, and Practice Problems – wikiHow
- Constant Force Spring Design Equations and Calculator – Engineers Edge
- Spring Force: Definition, Formula, and Examples – Science Facts
- Spring Constant Formula – SoftSchools.com
Deep
Learnool.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.