Question

In an arcade game, a 0.13 kg disk is shot across a frictionless horizontal surface by being compressed against a spring and then released. The spring has a spring constant of 242 N/m and is compressed from its equilibrium position by 5.2 cm. What is the magnitude of the spring force on the disk at the moment it is released?

Answer 1

12.584 N

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to use Hokke's law, this is a physics lar which states the force (F) you need to compress a spring for some distance (x) can be easily calculated with the equation F=kx. The constant k (the stiffness of the spring) is the value of 242 N/m and x is the distance 5.2 cm = 0.052 m. So if you multiply 242 N/m by 0.052 m you will obtain 12.584 N, which is the necessary force to compress the spring 5.2 cm. The mass of the spring is a nonrelevant data in this problem.