Answer:
Compression in the spring, x = 3.7 cm
Explanation:
It is given that,
Mass of the book, m = 1.6 kg
It can be assumed the spring constant of the spring is, k = 840 N/m
As the book moves down, the change in potential energy of the book is converted to spring potential energy of compression. The mathematical expression is as follows :
[tex]\dfrac{1}{2}kx^2=mgx[/tex]
[tex]x=\dfrac{2mg}{k}[/tex]
[tex]x=\dfrac{2\times 1.6\ kg\times 9.8\ m/s^2}{840\ N/m}[/tex]
x = 0.037 meters
or
x = 3.7 cm
So, the spring is compressed to a distance of 3.7 cm. Hence, this is the required solution.
