The length of the unstretched spring is 10 cm. When the load was suspended

The length of the unstretched spring is 10 cm. When the load was suspended from the spring, its length increased to 16 cm. What is the weight of the load if the spring rate is 60 N / m?

Given:

x1 = 10 centimeters = 0.1 meter – the length of the unstretched spring;

x2 = 16 centimeters – 0.16 meters – the length of the spring after the load has been suspended from it;

g = 10 N / kg – acceleration of gravity;

k = 60 N / m – coefficient of spring stiffness.

It is required to determine the mass of the load m (kilogram), which is suspended from the spring.

Let’s find the force that acted on the spring:

F = k * dx = k * (x2 – x1) = 60 * (0.16 – 0.1) = 60 * 0.06 = 3.6 Newton.

This force is equal to the force of gravity acting on the load. Then:

m = F / g = 3.6 / 10 = 0.36 kilograms.

Answer: The weight of the cargo is 0.36 kilograms (360 grams).