Physics Review Question

Unit: energy
Year: 1989 Question#: 24
Question: A spring of negligible mass with a spring constant of 200 newtons per meter is stretched 0.2 meters. How much potential energy is stored in the spring?

(1 ) 40 J
(2 ) 20 J
(3 ) 8 J
(4 ) 4 J

What is this question really asking?




Explanation by: Jill S

[ Return to question menu ]













Answer 1
40 J

INCORRECT
40 J is the incorrect answer because you have to use the formula  return to top









Answer 2
20 J

INCORRECT

20 J in incorrect because of the formula that is needed to find potential energy is , . To get the wrong answer of 20 J you had to of used the formula wrong. One way that the answer of 20 J could of been found is by not squaring the x, .2 m.



return to top



























Answer 3
8 J

INCORRECT

.8 J in incorrect because of the formula that is used to find potential energy, . To get the answer of .8 J you had to of used the formula wrong. If you did not multiply by 1/2 you would get .8 J. return to top
























Answer 4
4 J

CORRECT

4 J is the correct answer because of the formula that is used to find the potential energy, . K= the spring constant, 200 newtons/meter and x=the distance that the spring is stretched.


PE=1/2(200 N/m)(.2 m)2
PE=4 J


return to top





What's this question really asking?
How much potential energy is in the spring?
return to top

[Home]  [Lessons]  [Review]  [Search]  [Links]

This web site is designed and maintained by Science Joy Wagon and may not be reproduced or redistributed without written permission from Science Joy Wagon.
Contact with comments.