Recall the equation for the potential energy stored in a spring:
PE = 0.5kx²
PE is the potential energy.
k is the spring constant.
x is the length by which the spring is extended/compressed.
Given values:
PE = 0.053 J
x = 2.6 cm = 0.026 m
Substitute the terms in the equation with the given values and solve for k:
0.053 = 0.5×k×0.026²
k = 156.8 N/m
