Answer:
Spring's displacement, x = -0.04 meters.
Explanation:
Let the spring's displacement be x.
Given the following data;
Mass of each shrew, m = 2.0 g to kilograms = 2/1000 = 0.002 kg
Number of shrews, n = 49
Spring constant, k = 24 N/m
We know that acceleration due to gravity, g is equal to 9.8 m/s².
To find the spring's displacement;
At equilibrium position:
Fnet = Felastic + Fg = 0
But, Felastic = -kx
Total mass, Mt = nm
Fg = -Mt = -nmg
-kx -nmg = 0
Rearranging, we have;
kx = -nmg
Making x the subject of formula, we have;
[tex] x = \frac {-nmg}{k} [/tex]
Substituting into the formula, we have;
[tex] x = \frac {-49*0.002*9.8}{24} [/tex]
[tex] x = \frac {-0.9604}{24} [/tex]
x = -0.04 m
Therefore, the spring's displacement is -0.04 meters.
