An accelerometer in a control system consists of a 2.42 g object sliding on a horizontal rail. A low-mass spring is connected between the object and a flange at one end of the rail. Grease on the rail makes static friction negligible, but rapidly damps out vibrations of the sliding object. When subject to a steady acceleration of 3.50 m/s2, the object must be located 0.370 cm from its equilibrium position. Find the force constant required for the spring.

Answer 1

ma=kx
k=ma/x =2.42•10⁻³•3.5/0.37•10⁻²=2.3 N/m