A basket of negligible weight hangs from a vertical spring scale of force constant 1500 N/m. Part A If you suddenly put a 3.0-kg brick in the basket, find the maximum distance that the spring will stretch. (Express your answer in units of cm.)

3.92 cm

Explanation:

k = spring constant of the spring scale = 1500 N/m

m = mass of the brick = 3 kg

x = stretch caused in the spring

h = height dropped by the brick = x

Using conservation of energy

Spring potential energy gained by the spring scale = Potential energy lost

(0.5) k x² = mgh

(0.5) k x² = mgx

(0.5) k x = mg

(0.5) (1500) x = (3) (9.8)

x = 0.0392 m

x = 3.92 cm