At the equilibrium position of a spring, the following statements are true:
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The elastic potential energy is zero. - At the equilibrium position, the spring is neither compressed nor stretched, meaning there is no stored elastic potential energy.
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The net force acting on the spring is zero. - At equilibrium, the forces acting on the spring are balanced (e.g., if there's a weight hanging from it, the force of gravity is equal to the spring force).
The other statements do not describe a spring at its equilibrium position:
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The spring constant is zero. - The spring constant (k) is a property of the spring that indicates its stiffness. It is not zero at the equilibrium position; rather, it remains a constant value based on the material and construction of the spring.
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The elastic potential energy is at a maximum. - This is incorrect at equilibrium since potential energy is zero when the spring is unstressed.
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The displacement of the spring is at a maximum. - This is also incorrect. At equilibrium, the displacement (x) from the equilibrium position is zero (not at a maximum).
Therefore, the correct statements regarding a spring at its equilibrium position are:
- The elastic potential energy is zero.
- The net force acting on the spring is zero.