An engineering team is testing a new synthetic polymer tether designed for deep-sea underwater recovery. They secure the top end of the tether in a test rig, apply varying tension forces to the lower end, and record the resulting extension.
Here is a table of their experimental measurements:
| Tension (N) | Extension (m) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0.000 |
| 40 | 0.005 |
| 80 | 0.010 |
| 120 | 0.015 |
| 160 | 0.035 |
| 200 | 0.080 |
Describe the relationship between the applied tension force and the extension of the tether for tensions from 0 N0\text{ N}0 N to 120 N120\text{ N}120 N.
Describe and explain how the behavior of the tether changes when the tension exceeds 120 N120\text{ N}120 N.
Calculate the spring constant (stiffness) of the tether for the linear range of the results from 0 N0\text{ N}0 N to 120 N120\text{ N}120 N.
Use the equation: Force=Spring constant×Extension\text{Force} = \text{Spring constant} \times \text{Extension}Force=Spring constant×Extension
Calculate the work done in stretching the tether to an extension of 0.015 m0.015\text{ m}0.015 m.