Elastic potential energy in spring. Generate the formula from W=Fs

patylomy7

patylomy7

Answered question

2022-08-12

We generate the formula from W = F s, but why is it when we form the formula the F becomes the average force applied, making the equation
W = ( 1 / 2 ) ( 0 + F ) x ?

Answer & Explanation

alienceenvedsf0

alienceenvedsf0

Beginner2022-08-13Added 15 answers

Because the force applied changes with x.
Note that Hookes Law for springs is:
F = k Δ x
This means that in the W = F s equation, we cannot directly use it because F is not constant throughout the entire Δ x movement.
Since it varies linearly, we can instead take the average force multiplied by the total distance to find the work done, since we are not doing work with the max force the entire time.

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