Concept Question 2 (Idaho)
Consider the following spring experiment. One end of a spring is connected to a
stationary object while the other end is connected to a scale. Which of the following
methods will most accurately approximate the total amount of work required to stretch the
spring 10 cm?
- Stretch the spring 10 cm and record the force measured by the scale.
- Stretch the spring 5 cm, record the result, stretch the spring an additional 5 cm and
record the second result. Average the two recorded results.
- Stretch the spring 5 cm, record the result, stretch the spring an additional 5 cm and
record the second result. Sum the two recorded results.
- Stretch the spring 5 cm, record the result, stretch the spring an additional 5 cm and
record the second result. Multiply the two recorded results.
- This approximation is not possible.
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Introduction
Contributors: Lynda Danielson, James Dull, Dora Gallegos
Institution: Albertson College of Idaho
Target Audience: Precalculus/Calculus
7/30/99 