how much energy is stored in a pinball machine spring (constant=750N/m) that is compressed 3 cm?

What is 1/2 k *.03^2 Joules?

3 cm = .03 meters

E = (1/2) k x^2
E = (1/2)(750)(.0009) Joules

To calculate the energy stored in a compressed spring, you can use the formula:

E = (1/2)kx^2

where:
E is the energy stored in the spring,
k is the spring constant,
x is the compression or elongation of the spring.

In this case, the spring constant (k) is given as 750 N/m and the compression (x) is 3 cm. However, we need to convert the compression from centimeters to meters before plugging it into the formula.

1 cm = 0.01 m

Therefore, the compression (x) in meters is:

x = 3 cm * 0.01 m/cm = 0.03 m

Now we can calculate the energy stored in the spring:

E = (1/2) * 750 N/m * (0.03 m)^2

E = (1/2) * 750 N/m * (0.0009 m^2)

E = 0.3375 Joules

So, the energy stored in the pinball machine spring is approximately 0.3375 Joules.

To calculate the amount of energy stored in a spring that is compressed, you can use the formula for potential energy stored in a spring:

Potential Energy (PE) = (1/2) * k * x^2

Where:
- PE is the potential energy (or stored energy) in joules
- k is the spring constant in newtons per meter (N/m)
- x is the displacement (or compression) of the spring in meters (m)

In this case, the spring constant (k) is given as 750 N/m, and the displacement (x) is 3 cm, which is equivalent to 0.03 meters.

Now, let's substitute the values into the formula and calculate the potential energy:

PE = (1/2) * 750 N/m * (0.03 m)^2

PE = (1/2) * 750 N/m * 0.0009 m^2

PE = 0.5 * 750 N/m * 0.0009 m^2

PE = 0.5 * 675 N * (1 m^2 / 1000 N)

PE = 0.5 * 0.675 Nm

PE = 0.3375 J

Therefore, the energy stored in the compressed pinball machine spring is approximately 0.3375 joules.