A spring is compressed by 0.2 m, and it exerts a force of 10 N. What will be the force exerted by the spring if it is compressed by 0.4 m?
10 N
20 N
40 N
80 N
The force exerted by a spring is given by Hooke's law, which states that the force F is directly proportional to the displacement x from its equilibrium position, and can be expressed as F = -kx, where k is the spring constant.
So, we can write:
F1 = -kx1 (where x1 = 0.2 m and F1 = 10 N)
F2 = -kx2 (where x2 = 0.4 m and we need to find F2)
Dividing the two equations, we get