Physics

Problem

0.50\,\text{kg}

block rests on a frictionless horizontal surface and is attached on opposite sides to two ideal springs. The spring constants are

k_1 = 200\,\text{N/m}

on the left and

k_2 = 300\,\text{N/m}

on the right. At a certain instant, both springs are stretched

0.080\,\text{m}

from their relaxed lengths. Determine the total elastic potential energy stored in the springs at that instant.