When a weight of 90 N was suspended from the spring, the spring lengthened by 0.1 m.

When a weight of 90 N was suspended from the spring, the spring lengthened by 0.1 m. Determine the potential energy of the spring.

Given:

F = 90 Newton – the weight of the load, which was suspended from the spring;

dx = 0.1 meter – the extension of the spring under the action of the load.

It is required to determine W (Joule) – the potential energy of the spring.

Find the coefficient of spring stiffness:

k = F / dx = 90 / 0.1 = 900 Newton / meter.

Then the potential energy of the stretched spring will be equal to:

W = k * dx ^ 2/2 = 900 * 0.1 ^ 2/2 = 450 * 0.1 ^ 2 = 450 * 0.01 = 4.5 Joules.

Answer: The potential energy of a stretched spring is 4.5 Joules.