This document discusses elastic potential energy and simple harmonic motion. It introduces Hooke's law, which states that the restoring force (Fs) of a spring is proportional to the displacement (Δx) from equilibrium. Fs = -kΔx, where k is the spring constant. Several examples show how to calculate spring forces, displacements, work done, and energy stored in springs. The law of conservation of energy applies to spring systems, where elastic potential energy can transform but the total energy remains fixed.
This document discusses elastic potential energy and simple harmonic motion. It introduces Hooke's law, which states that the restoring force (Fs) of a spring is proportional to the displacement (Δx) from equilibrium. Fs = -kΔx, where k is the spring constant. Several examples show how to calculate spring forces, displacements, work done, and energy stored in springs. The law of conservation of energy applies to spring systems, where elastic potential energy can transform but the total energy remains fixed.
This document discusses elastic potential energy and simple harmonic motion. It introduces Hooke's law, which states that the restoring force (Fs) of a spring is proportional to the displacement (Δx) from equilibrium. Fs = -kΔx, where k is the spring constant. Several examples show how to calculate spring forces, displacements, work done, and energy stored in springs. The law of conservation of energy applies to spring systems, where elastic potential energy can transform but the total energy remains fixed.
This document discusses elastic potential energy and simple harmonic motion. It introduces Hooke's law, which states that the restoring force (Fs) of a spring is proportional to the displacement (Δx) from equilibrium. Fs = -kΔx, where k is the spring constant. Several examples show how to calculate spring forces, displacements, work done, and energy stored in springs. The law of conservation of energy applies to spring systems, where elastic potential energy can transform but the total energy remains fixed.
● Solve problems using Hooke’s law. ● Solve problems related to elastic potential energy and simple harmonic motion. ● Explain simple harmonic motion and damping, and apply the knowledge to practical situations
Suspension systems in moving vehicles make use of springs and damping
mechanisms. ● The springs help to lessen the impact of bumps, making the ride smoother for the rider. ● Protect the vehicle from damage. ● The damping system helps to lessen the effect of the recoil on the springs.
RECOIL - (Imagine stretching a spring or even an elastic rubber band, and then letting go. It has a huge reaction to its initial stretch and can hurt! A spring can have the additional reaction of continuing to stretch and compress for a series of cycles, after it’s released.)
MIT Physics Demo -- Spray Paint Oscillator
Hooke’s Law:
The slope of the line of best fit on a force versus displacement graph gives a value referred to as the force constant. Represented by the variable k, the force constant indicates the “stiffness” of the spring.
This relationship, called Hooke’s Law, stated in equation form is:
Fs= −kΔx
Where: Fs = the restoring force. This is the force the spring exerts as it tries to return to its resting position, measured in newtons (N);
k = force constant measured in N/m
Δx = the displacement of the spring from its resting position, (m) (i.e. the distance stretched or compressed)
Example 1
A spring has a force constant of 7.0 N/m. What magnitude of the force is required to stretch the spring 2.0 cm? Example 2
A spring with a force constant of 55.0 N/m is held vertically. A mass of 0.50 kg is hung on the end of the spring, causing the spring to stretch. Once the spring and mass come to rest in their new positions, how much will the spring have stretched from its original non-stretched position? Example 3
If the mass in example 2 was initially connected to the spring, and then held at a position that was 0.050 m above the spring’s initial equilibrium position (that is, if the spring was compressed 0.050 m at the start) and then released from that position, what would the net force on the mass be, at the point of release? What would its acceleration be, at that instant? 1 Work= 2 k(△x)2 Example
A spring with a force constant of 2.0 N/m is stretched 7.0 cm. How much work is done on the spring? In other words, how much elastic potential energy is stored in the spring (assuming there is no friction)?
EPE and the Law of Conservation of Energy
The law of conservation of energy holds true when elastic potential energy is involved. Therefore, while energy can transform into other forms, spring systems still maintain a fixed amount of total energy.
Example
A 0.250 kg mass is hung on the end of a vertical spring and held so that the spring remains in its rest position. When the mass is released, it falls, causing the spring to stretch. If the force constant of the spring is 96 N/m, what will the speed of the mass be, when it has fallen a distance of 5.0 cm?
