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Five different experiments are carried out. In each experiment, a block is attac

ID: 1458043 • Letter: F

Question

Five different experiments are carried out. In each experiment, a block is attached to a horizontal spring. The block is pulled back a certain distance and released. The block oscillates back and forth on a frictionless surface. Rank the maximum force on the block for each of the following situations. (Rank the smallest force as 1).

1 2 3 4 5  A block of mass M is attached to a spring with a spring constant k, pulled back a distance 2d, and released.
1 2 3 4 5  A block of mass M is attached to a spring with a spring constant (1/2)k, pulled back a distance d, and released.
1 2 3 4 5  A block of mass M is attached to a spring with a spring constant 2k, pulled back a distance (1/2)d, and released.
1 2 3 4 5  A block of mass 2M is attached to a spring with a spring constant k, pulled back a distance d, and released.
1 2 3 4 5  A block of mass M is attached to a spring with a spring constant k, pulled back a distance d, and released.

Explanation / Answer

From Hooke's law,

Force = spring constant x extension.

The maximum force occurs when the spring is at maximum extension. This mass makes no difference.

1. F =2 kd
2. F = k(1/2)d = (1/2)kd
3. F = 2 k(1/2)d = kd
4. F = kd
5. F = kd

In order of force from smallest to largest:
(2), ( 3) = ( 4) = (5), (1)