Every spring has an equilibrium position. Which statements describe a spring at its equilibrium position? Check all that apply.

Question

The spring constant is zero.
The elastic potential energy is at a maximum.
The elastic potential energy is zero.
The displacement of the spring is at a maximum.
The net force acting on the spring is zero.

Answer 1

At the equilibrium position of a spring, the following statements are true:

1. The elastic potential energy is zero. - At the equilibrium position, the spring is neither compressed nor stretched, which means there is no elastic potential energy stored in the spring.

2. The net force acting on the spring is zero. - At equilibrium, the forces acting on the spring are balanced. Therefore, the net force is zero.

The following statements are not true for a spring at its equilibrium position:

• The spring constant is zero. - The spring constant is a measure of the spring's stiffness and is a constant characteristic of the spring, regardless of its position.

• The elastic potential energy is at a maximum. - The elastic potential energy is zero at equilibrium and is at a maximum when the spring is either fully compressed or fully stretched.

• The displacement of the spring is at a maximum. - At equilibrium, the displacement is zero; the spring is in its resting position without any external forces acting on it.

So, the correct answers for a spring at its equilibrium position are:

• The elastic potential energy is zero.
• The net force acting on the spring is zero.