A spring fixed at one end is compressed from its relaxed position by a distance of 0.20 m. See the graph of the applied external force, Fx, versus the position, x, of the spring.

Question

(a) Find the work done by the external force in compressing the spring 0.17 m starting from its relaxed position.

Answer 1

You have to read from the graph what force (Fx) corresponds to what distance (position, x) of the spring.

The work done is the area of the triangle between x=0 and x=0.17 m.