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 - Exercises and Problems - Page 272: 16

Answer

$L_3 =L_0 +\dfrac{3mg}{k} $ Or $ L_3 = 3 L_1-2L_0$

Work Step by Step

Let's assume that the stretching of the spring due to its own weight when suspended from the ceiling is negligible. After attaching the mass $m$, the spring stretched a distance of $x=L_1-L_0\tag1$ We know that the system is at rest which means that the net force exerted on the mass $m$ is zero. $$\sum F_y=F_{sp}-mg=ma_y=m(0)=0$$ Thus, $$F_{sp}=mg$$ According to Hooke's law, $F_{sp}=-kx$ $$-kx=mg$$ The negative sign is due to the direction of stretching, so we can ignore it for now since we are dealing with its length magnitude. Plugging from (1); $$ k(L_1-L_0)=mg$$ $$ L_1-L_0 =\dfrac{mg}{k}\tag 2$$ $$ L_1 =L_0 +\dfrac{mg}{k}$$ Hence, when we attach a mass of $3m$; $$ \boxed{L_3 =L_0 +\dfrac{3mg}{k}}$$ Solving (2) for $k$, $$ k =\dfrac{mg}{L_1-L_0}$$ plugging into the boxed formula. $$ L_3 =L_0 +\dfrac{3mg}{\dfrac{mg}{L_1-L_0}}=L_0 +\dfrac{3\color{red}{\bf\not} m\color{red}{\bf\not} g(L_1-L_0)}{\color{red}{\bf\not} m\color{red}{\bf\not} g} $$ $$ L_3 = L_0 + 3(L_1-L_0)= L_0 + 3 L_1-3L_0 $$ $$\boxed{ L_3 = 3 L_1-2L_0 }$$
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