The potential energy of an ideal spring when stretched by 1 cm is given by the equation U = (1/2)kx². If the spring is now cut into two equal parts and...
a) Each half is stretched by 1 cm: Uₜotal = 2 * (1/2)k(1²)
b) Each half is compressed by 1 cm: Uₜotal = -2 * (1/2)k(1²)
c) One half is stretched by 2 cm, and the other is compressed by 1 cm: Uₜotal = (1/2)k(2²) - (1/2)k(1²)
d) One half is compressed by 2 cm, and the other is stretched by 1 cm: Uₜotal = -(1/2)k(2²) + (1/2)k(1²)
