Unit: Work & Energy
Year: 1992 Question#: 18
Question: The graph below shows the elongation of a spring as a function of the force
What is the value of the spring constant?
(1 ) .1m/N
(2 ) .1N/m
(3 ) 10m/N
(4 ) 10N/m
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Sarah C. (no last names)
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Answer 1
.1m/N
INCORRECT
This is incorrect because the formula that must be used is F=kx, where k is the spring constant. Then could be changed to k=F/x. The units of your anwser are incorrect as well. If divided correctly the units should be N/m. return to top
Answer 2
.1N/m
INCORRECT
This is incorrect because the spring constant formula is F=KX, to solve for K, or the spring constant you can change the formula to K=F/X. Perhaps this was switched, so you divided the m by N, and used the incorrect units. return to top
Answer 3
10m/N
INCORRECT
This is the correct anwser with the incorrect units. Using the formula F=kx (k= f/x) you will be dividing Newtons by Meters, not vise versa. Therefore m/N is not possible. return to top
Answer 4
10N/m
CORRECT
This is the correct anwser, is you use the equation f=kx , where k is the spring constant. Then you can just pick a point on the graph.
k=f/x
k=2N/.2m All the ratios for this graph with be the same
=10N/m return to top
What's this question really asking?
That you know how to use the formula F=kx and change it to k=F/x, as well as using the correct units. You must know what the spring constant is as well. return to top
