1. A fisherman's spring scale stretches 3.9 cm when a 2.7 kg fish hangs from it. (A) What is the spring constant of the scale?

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### Problem Statement

1. A fisherman's spring scale stretches 3.9 cm when a 2.7 kg fish hangs from it.
    - **(A)** What is the spring constant of the scale?

### Diagram and Explanation

**Explanation**: When a mass is hung from a spring scale, the force due to the weight of the mass causes the spring to stretch. The relationship between the force, spring constant, and displacement is given by Hooke's Law:

\[ F = k \cdot x \]

where:
- \( F \) is the force exerted by the weight of the fish,
- \( k \) is the spring constant,
- \( x \) is the displacement of the spring.

**Given Values**:
- Mass of the fish, \( m = 2.7 \, \text{kg} \)
- Displacement of the spring, \( x = 3.9 \, \text{cm} = 0.039 \, \text{m} \)

Since the force \( F \) is caused by the weight of the fish, we can calculate it using:

\[ F = m \cdot g \]

where \( g \approx 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \) is the acceleration due to gravity.

### Calculation

1. Calculate the force exerted by the fish:
    \[
    F = 2.7 \, \text{kg} \times 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 = 26.46 \, \text{N}
    \]

2. Using Hooke's Law to find the spring constant \( k \):
    \[
    26.46 \, \text{N} = k \times 0.039 \, \text{m}
    \]

    \[
    k = \frac{26.46 \, \text{N}}{0.039 \, \text{m}} = 678.46 \, \text{N/m}
    \]

**Answer**: The spring constant of the scale is approximately \( 678.46 \, \text{N/m} \).
Transcribed Image Text:### Problem Statement 1. A fisherman's spring scale stretches 3.9 cm when a 2.7 kg fish hangs from it. - **(A)** What is the spring constant of the scale? ### Diagram and Explanation **Explanation**: When a mass is hung from a spring scale, the force due to the weight of the mass causes the spring to stretch. The relationship between the force, spring constant, and displacement is given by Hooke's Law: \[ F = k \cdot x \] where: - \( F \) is the force exerted by the weight of the fish, - \( k \) is the spring constant, - \( x \) is the displacement of the spring. **Given Values**: - Mass of the fish, \( m = 2.7 \, \text{kg} \) - Displacement of the spring, \( x = 3.9 \, \text{cm} = 0.039 \, \text{m} \) Since the force \( F \) is caused by the weight of the fish, we can calculate it using: \[ F = m \cdot g \] where \( g \approx 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \) is the acceleration due to gravity. ### Calculation 1. Calculate the force exerted by the fish: \[ F = 2.7 \, \text{kg} \times 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 = 26.46 \, \text{N} \] 2. Using Hooke's Law to find the spring constant \( k \): \[ 26.46 \, \text{N} = k \times 0.039 \, \text{m} \] \[ k = \frac{26.46 \, \text{N}}{0.039 \, \text{m}} = 678.46 \, \text{N/m} \] **Answer**: The spring constant of the scale is approximately \( 678.46 \, \text{N/m} \).
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