A car has four springs in its suspension. Each spring has a spring constant of $N/m30\,000\ \text{N/m}$ .

Four passengers get into the car. Their total weight is 2400 N. The weight is shared equally between the four springs.

Calculate how far each spring is compressed.

Calculate the energy stored in one spring when it is compressed by 0.020 m.

Use the equation

$E=12×k×x2\displaystyle E = \frac{1}{2} \times k \times x^{2}$

The car manufacturer warns that the car must not be overloaded.

Suggest what could happen to the springs if the car is overloaded, and the effect this would have on the car.

A car has four springs in its suspension. Each spring has a spring constant of $N/m30\,000\ \text{N/m}$ .

Four passengers get into the car. Their total weight is 2400 N. The weight is shared equally between the four springs.

Calculate how far each spring is compressed.

Calculate the energy stored in one spring when it is compressed by 0.020 m.

Use the equation

$E=12×k×x2\displaystyle E = \frac{1}{2} \times k \times x^{2}$

The car manufacturer warns that the car must not be overloaded.

Suggest what could happen to the springs if the car is overloaded, and the effect this would have on the car.

15.1 Forces and springs

15.1 Forces and springs Questions