Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 10 - Energy - Conceptual Questions - Page 271: 10

Answer

$(U_s)_d > (U_s)_c > (U_s)_b = (U_s)_a$

Work Step by Step

When a spring is compressed a distance of $x$, the elastic potential energy stored in the spring is $U_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$, where $k$ is the spring constant. We can find the elastic potential energy stored in spring a. $(U_s)_a = \frac{1}{2}kd^2$ We can find the elastic potential energy stored in spring b. $(U_s)_b = \frac{1}{2}kd^2$ We can find the elastic potential energy stored in spring c. $(U_s)_c = \frac{1}{2}(2k)d^2$ $(U_s)_c = kd^2$ We can find the elastic potential energy stored in spring d. $(U_s)_d = \frac{1}{2}k(2d)^2$ $(U_s)_d = 2kd^2$ We can rank elastic potential energy in the springs in order from most to least: $(U_s)_d > (U_s)_c > (U_s)_b = (U_s)_a$
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