An 85 kg person is bouncing on a bathroom scale having a force constant of 1.50 x 10^6 N/m . The amplitude of the bounce is .200 cm. What is the maximum energy stored in the spring?

Answer 1

To find the maximum energy stored in the spring, we can use the formula:

E = (1/2)kA²

where:
E is the maximum energy stored in the spring,
k is the force constant of the spring, and
A is the amplitude of the bounce.

Given:
k = 1.50 x 10^6 N/m
A = 0.200 cm

Converting A to meters:
A = 0.200 cm * 1 m/100 cm = 0.002 m

Substituting the given values into the formula, we have:

E = (1/2)(1.50 x 10^6 N/m)(0.002 m)²
= (1/2)(1.50 x 10^6 N/m)(0.004 m²)
= 3000 J

Therefore, the maximum energy stored in the spring is 3000 Joules.