What Happens when an Object is Placed on a Spring?

What will happen if an object is placed on a spring?

A. The spring will exert an equal force in the opposite direction.
B. The spring will compress due to the weight of the object.
C. The object will levitate above the spring.

The spring will compress due to the weight of the object

B. The spring will compress due to the weight of the object.

When an object is placed on a spring, the spring will compress due to the weight of the object. This is known as Hooke's Law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the amount it is stretched or compressed. As the object applies a downward force on the spring, the spring will push back with an equal force in the opposite direction, causing it to compress.

The amount of compression will depend on the stiffness of the spring (its spring constant) and the weight of the object. Heavier objects will cause the spring to compress more, while lighter objects will result in less compression. This compression of the spring stores potential energy, which can be released when the object is removed, causing the spring to bounce back to its original shape.

In summary, when an object is placed on a spring, the spring will compress in response to the downward force exerted by the object, following the principles of Hooke's Law.