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Five physics students are discussing the amount of work required to stretch ANY

ID: 1338763 • Letter: F

Question

Five physics students are discussing the amount of work required to stretch ANY spring from equilibrium to a point 12 cm past equilibrium. Specifically, they are debating the work needed to stretch it from 0 cm to 6 cm, versus 6 cm to 12 cm. Sam claims it takes the same amount of work for the first 6 cm as it does from 6 cm to 12 cm. Donna claims it takes double the work from 6 cm to 12 cm as it did for the first 6 cm, Trinh claims it is triple the work, Fred claims it takes four times the work, and Deidre claims it depends on the spring. Who is right? You must use calculus to support your work. Unsupported answers receive 0 credit.

Explanation / Answer

in general work done by a spring force or conservative force does not depends on the path it depends on the initial and final positions.

from 0 to 6cm work done =1/2*k*36=18k

from 6 to 12 cm work done =1/2*k*(12^2-6^2)=1/2*k*108=54k

so work done is tripe that of the work during 0 to 6 cm