Is it possible to find the Mechanical Energy of a spring with only a force probe

Question

Is it possible to find the Mechanical Energy of a spring with only a force probe, (ie, no motion sensor). I have a known mass hanging from a spring vertically. I assume I can find the spring constant by measuring the force at different displacements and taking the average k with the equaltion k=-f/y. Can I use F=ma to find acceleration, or do I have to use an inetegral to find acceleration? Ultimately I need velocity for the K=1/2mv^2 equation, can I find velocity with only a force meter?

Thanks

Explanation / Answer

Yes It is possible to measure mechanical energy of spring mass system using only force probe. At the maximum elongation magnitude of force will be maximum and we know that at maximum elongation this system has only potential energy which is given by 1/2 k x2 (total mechanical energy of sytem).

For mesuring the acceleration we can not use linearly F = ma because force and hence acceleration is not constant (they vary with the distance F = - kx). We have to use integration for calculation.

If we know the displacement or elongation of spring then we can find velocity using energy conservation principle at any point( total mechanical energy of system will be conserved).

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.