The spring connects two objects.  In this case, it's the object that moves and accelerates, and the wall.  I will take x to be the distance from the particle to the wall -- the length of the spring.  The problem is one-dimensional.  (There are two- and three-dimensional forms of the problem.)      The ideal spring exerts a force (F) on the object, with the following properties: The spring has a length (ℓ) where it exerts no force.  (I usually call it the relaxed length.  I might call it the "zero-force length" or the "equilibrium length".) The compressed spring pushes.  The stretched string pulls.  The force on the block is F = -k(x - ℓ).  (Figure out what the negative sign on k does.) Often, people use x for the difference from equilibrium, and write F = -kx instead. Sometimes, both sides of the spring are at different positions.  The force on the object on the right side is -k(x2 - x1 - ℓ). In the pictured situation, x1 = 0 and x2 = x. Understand what is physically happening with the spring -- the ideal version, and differences from ideal. Question: if k = 15 N/cm, ℓ = 9 cm, and x = 14 cm, calculate the force (in Newtons) on the object, including the sign to indicate the direction.

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The spring connects two objects.  In this case, it's the object that moves and accelerates, and the wall.  I will take x to be the distance from the particle to the wall -- the length of the spring.  The problem is one-dimensional.  (There are two- and three-dimensional forms of the problem.)

 

  

The ideal spring exerts a force (F) on the object, with the following properties:

  • The spring has a length (ℓ) where it exerts no force.  (I usually call it the relaxed length.  I might call it the "zero-force length" or the "equilibrium length".)
  • The compressed spring pushes.  The stretched string pulls.  The force on the block is F = -k(x - ℓ).  (Figure out what the negative sign on k does.)
  • Often, people use x for the difference from equilibrium, and write F = -kx instead.
  • Sometimes, both sides of the spring are at different positions.  The force on the object on the right side is -k(x2 - x1 - ℓ). In the pictured situation, x1 = 0 and x2 = x.

Understand what is physically happening with the spring -- the ideal version, and differences from ideal.

Question: if k = 15 N/cm, ℓ = 9 cm, and x = 14 cm, calculate the force (in Newtons) on the object, including the sign to indicate the direction.

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