Problem Solving

The potential energy of a spring is given by the equation PE = (kx^2)/2 where k is a constant and x is the distance the spring is stretched. If K =16 and the spring is stretched to 2 feet and then to 3 feet, how much potential energy is gained by the spring from the moment it is stretched 2 feet to the moment it is stretched 3 feet?

a) 200
b) 128
c) 72
d) 40
e) 32

Please assist with above problem.

alanforde800Maximus wrote:The potential energy of a spring is given by the equation PE = (kx^2)/2 where k is a constant and x is the distance the spring is stretched. If x =16 and the spring is stretched to 2 feet and then to 3 feet, how much potential energy is gained by the spring from the moment it is stretched 2 feet to the moment it is stretched 3 feet?

a) 200
b) 128
c) 72
d) 40
e) 32

Please assist with above problem.

I think you mean K=16, otherwise it's not solvable.

Assuming this is the case, going from 2 feet to 3 feet in the equation is 16/2(3^2 - 2^2) = 8*(9-4) = D

regor60 wrote:

alanforde800Maximus wrote:The potential energy of a spring is given by the equation PE = (kx^2)/2 where k is a constant and x is the distance the spring is stretched. If x =16 and the spring is stretched to 2 feet and then to 3 feet, how much potential energy is gained by the spring from the moment it is stretched 2 feet to the moment it is stretched 3 feet?

a) 200
b) 128
c) 72
d) 40
e) 32

Please assist with above problem.

I think you mean K=16, otherwise it's not solvable.

Assuming this is the case, going from 2 feet to 3 feet in the equation is 16/2(3^2 - 2^2) = 8*(9-4) = D

yes, it's K =16 sorry for typo.