Practice Problem 2

Practice Problem: Work Done by the Force of a Spring

      2. A force of 4-lb is required to compress a spring 0.25 inches. The spring has a free length of 1.25 inches.

     Determine the work needed to compress the spring from the free length to a length of 0.85 inches.

         First calculate the spring constant, k:

                 k = F/x = 4-lb/.25in = 16 lb/in

         Now set up the equation for work:

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