What is the minimum number of forces needed to compress a spring?
A student has three different newton-meters: X, Y, and Z. All three meters have the same physical length, meaning the maximum extension of each spring inside is the same.
Which newton-meter would be best to use to measure a force of about 6.2 N6.2\text{ N}6.2 N? Explain your answer.
Explain what could happen to the spring inside if a 30 N30\text{ N}30 N weight was hung from newton-meter X.
Which newton-meter has the smallest spring constant? Explain your answer.
A student suggests that a rubber band could be used instead of a spring in a newton-meter.
Explain why the rubber band would not make a good replacement for a spring.
A spring has a spring constant of 80 N/m80\text{ N/m}80 N/m.
Calculate the energy stored when the spring is extended by 5.0 cm5.0\text{ cm}5.0 cm.