High School Physics : Understanding Springs
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Understanding Springs
A spring has a 
The mass has no bearing on the relationship between frequency and period. This relationship is given by the equation:
Given the period, the frequency will be equal to its reciprocal.
Example Question #1 : Harmonic Motion
A spring with a spring constant of 
The formula for the potential energy in a spring is:
Use the given spring constant and displacement to solve for the stored energy.
Example Question #1 : Harmonic Motion
A mass is placed at the end of a spring. It has a starting velocity of 
The period would be 
The period would be half as long.
The period would be 
The period would remain the same.
The period would be twice as long.
The period would remain the same.
When it comes to the period of a spring, the velocity of the object has no effect.
The equation is 
Example Question #2 : Harmonic Motion
A spring is attached to a mass, oscillating freely in simple harmonic motion. What change can be made to increase the period of the oscillation?
Increase the mass at the end of the spring
Use a spring with a greater spring constant
Decrease the mass at the end of the spring
Take the spring to a planet with a lower acceleration due to gravity
Lengthen the spring
Increase the mass at the end of the spring
The equation for the period of a spring in simple harmonic motion is:
In this formula, 
If we increase the mass we get a larger numerator, which in turns will give us a larger period. If we decrease the mass we get a smaller numerator, which would give us a smaller period. If we use a higher spring constant we get a larger denominator, which also gives us a smaller period.
Example Question #3 : Harmonic Motion
What does the negative sign indicate in the equation below?
The spring constant, 
The force, 
The force, 
The force, 
The force,
The correct answer is that the force acts in the opposite direction of the displacement.
The equation given is Hooke's law, which is used to determine spring force based on the spring constant, 
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