A vertical spring with force constant k is fixed on a table. A ball of...
Gravitational potential energy of ball gets converted into elastic potential energy of the spring.
Net work done

View all questions of this testA vertical spring with force constant k is fixed on a table. A ball of...
Work done in compressing a spring
When a spring is compressed or stretched, work is done on it and the potential energy stored in the spring changes. The work done in compressing a spring by a distance d is given by:
W = (1/2)k(d^2)
where k is the force constant of the spring.
Work done by gravity
When the ball falls from a height h, work is done by gravity and its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The work done by gravity is given by:
W = mgh
where m is the mass of the ball and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
Net work done
The net work done in the process is the sum of the work done by gravity and the work done in compressing the spring:
W_net = W_gravity + W_spring
Substituting the values of W_gravity and W_spring, we get:
W_net = mgh - (1/2)kd^2
Answer explanation
The correct option is A, which is the same as the above equation. The net work done is given by mgh - (1/2)kd^2.
A vertical spring with force constant k is fixed on a table. A ball of...