A girl weighing 600 N steps on a bathroom scale that contains a stiff spring. In equilibrium, the spring is compressed 1.0 cm under her weight. Find the spring constant and the total work done on it during the compression.

The spring constant is 60,000 N

The total work done on it during the compression is 3 J

Explanation:

Given;

weight of the girl, W = 600 N

compression of the spring, x = 1 cm = 0.01 m

To determine the spring constant, we apply hook's law;

F = kx

where;

F is applied force or weight on the spring

k is the spring constant

x is the compression of the spring

k = F / x

k = 600 / 0.01

k = 60,000 N

The total work done on the spring = elastic potential energy of the spring, U;

U = ¹/₂kx²

U = ¹/₂(60000)(0.01)²

U = 3 J

Thus, the total work done on it during the compression is 3 J