All Flashcards
What is the difference between displacement and length in spring problems?
Displacement (Δx) is the change in length from the equilibrium position, while length is the total length of the spring.
Compare a spring with a high spring constant to one with a low spring constant.
High k: Stiffer, requires more force for the same displacement. | Low k: Less stiff, requires less force for the same displacement.
Compare stretching a spring vs. compressing a spring.
Stretching: Positive Δx, spring pulls back. | Compressing: Negative Δx, spring pushes back.
Compare the spring force at maximum displacement vs. at equilibrium.
Maximum displacement: Spring force is maximum. | Equilibrium: Spring force is zero.
Compare the energy stored in a stretched spring vs. a compressed spring (same |Δx|).
Stretched: Stores potential energy. | Compressed: Stores potential energy. Both store the same amount of potential energy if |Δx| is the same.
What is the difference between ideal and non-ideal springs?
Ideal springs have negligible mass and perfectly obey Hooke's Law. Non-ideal springs have mass and may not perfectly obey Hooke's Law.
Compare springs in series and springs in parallel regarding their stiffness.
Springs in series are more compliant (less stiff). Springs in parallel are stiffer.
How does displacement relate to force in springs arranged in series versus parallel?
In series, total displacement is the sum of individual displacements. In parallel, the total force is the sum of individual forces.
What is a restoring force?
A force that acts to bring an object back to its equilibrium position.
Define the spring constant (k).
A measure of a spring's stiffness; higher k means a stiffer spring. Measured in N/m.
What is the equilibrium position of a spring?
The spring's natural resting position when no external forces are acting on it; net force is zero.
Define Δx in the context of spring forces.
Δx is the change in the spring's length from its relaxed (equilibrium) length, measured in meters.
What is Hooke's Law?
The relationship between the force exerted by an ideal spring and its change in length: F = -kΔx.