An athlete stretches a spring an extra 15.9 cm beyond its initial length. How much energy has he transferred to the spring

If k is the spring constant in N/m, and if the initial length is the natural (stress length), then

energy=work done
=(1/2)kx² joules
where
x=stretching in metres
=15.9cm=0.159 m

To determine the amount of energy transferred to the spring, we need to use the formula for the potential energy stored in a spring, which is given by:

Potential energy = 1/2 * k * x^2

Where:
- Potential energy is the energy transferred to the spring (in joules),
- k is the spring constant (measured in N/m),
- x is the displacement of the spring from its initial position (in meters).

In this case, we are given the displacement of the spring, which is 15.9 cm (or 0.159 meters).

However, we need to know the spring constant, k, to calculate the potential energy. The spring constant quantifies how stiff the spring is and is unique to each spring.

If the spring constant is not given, we won't be able to calculate the exact potential energy transferred to the spring.