A horizontal spring of negligible mass is fixed at one end on a smooth table. The spring has a force constant of 25Ncm−1 and is compressed from its natural length.
Answer the following:
a. Part 1: (i) Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the spring when it is compressed by 5.0cm. Express your answer in joule.
b. Part 2: (ii) The spring is now compressed by 10cm. Calculate the new value of the elastic potential energy and hence determine the ratio of the energies in parts (ii) and (i).