Four springs are stretched to the same distance from the equilibrium position. The spring constants are listed in the table. A 2 column table with 4 rows. The first column is labeled spring with entries W, X, Y, Z. The second column is labeled spring constant in newtons per meter with entries 24, 35, 22, 15. Which lists the springs based on the amount of elastic potential energy, from greatest to least? X, Y, W, Z X, W, Y, Z Z, W, Y, X Z, Y, W, X

The correct option is;

X, W, Y, Z

Explanation:

The parameters given are;

Spring (S),         Spring Constant (N/m)

      W,                   24

      X,                    35

      Y,                    22

      Z,                    15

The equation for elastic potential energy, , is

The above equation can also be written as

Where:

k = The spring constant in (N/m)

x = The spring extension

Therefore, since the elastic potential energy, , of the spring is directly proportional to the spring constant, k, we have the springs with higher spring constant will have higher elastic potential energy, , therefore the correct order is as follows;

X > W > Y > Z