physics help please

Archive SAT Subject Test Preparation
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<p>this doesn’t appear on the SAT II, i don’t think, i haven’t really researched it…but i have a lot of make-up book work to do for my physics class and can’t figure this problem out…it deals with periodic motion and Hooke’s law.</p>

<p>Q: Determine the effective spring constratn of a bathroom scale by estimating the amount the scale compresses when you stand on it.</p>

<p>The answer in the back of the book is 5.36 cm. I don’t know what numbers to use…isn’t it different for everyone when they stand on a scale because of different weights? doesn’t this mean the force will vary then? help if you can…greatly appreciated</p>

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<p>uhmmm, I’m not really good at physics but i think you use</p>

<p>F = kx = mg… m,g, and x are given (m = your mass, g = -9.8, and x = amount the spring compresses) and solve for k</p>

<p>is that right?</p>

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<p>… the Force with vary with mass, but then so will the amount that the spring compresses, so you will always get the same for k</p>