Physics Review Question

Unit: Work and Energy Year: 1993 Question#: 20
Question: Which graph best represents the relationship between the elongation of a spring whose elastic limit has not been reached and the force applied to it?

(1 ) (2 )

(3 ) (4 )

What is this question really asking?




Explanation by: Rachel M

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Answer 1


INCORRECT

This graph implies that elongation increases at a faster rate than force and then force begins to increase faster than elongation about half-way through. But F=kx, with k being constant. So force (F) and elongation (x) should increase together at the same rate. return to top























Answer 2


INCORRECT

This graph implies that as elongation increases, force decreases (an inverse relationship). But force and elongation have a direct relationship, meaning they increase together. F=kx, where k is constant, f is force, and x is elongation. return to top



























Answer 3


INCORRECT

This graph implies that force increases faster than elongation does, and then about half-way through, elongation begins to increase faster than force. But F= kx (f is force, x is elongation, k is constant) meaning they increase together at the same rate. return to top


























Answer 4


CORRECT

F = kx , k is the spring constant and so it stays constant. As F (force) increases, x (elongation) also increases at the same rate. return to top


























What's this question really asking?

How are elongation and force related in a spring? return to top

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