Enter the spring constant, the displacement, and the time of spring force into the calculator to determine the Spring Momentum. 

Spring Momentum Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the Spring Momentum.

pS = K*x *t
  • Where ps is the Spring Momentum (m/s*kg)
  • k is the spring constant (N/m)
  • x is the displacement (m)
  • t is the time of spring force (s)

To calculate the spring momentum, multiply the spring constant by the displacement and time.

What are the units for Spring Momentum?

The most common units for Spring Momentum are m/s*kg.

How to Calculate Spring Momentum?

Example Problem:

The following example problem outlines the steps and information needed to calculate the Spring Momentum.

First, determine the spring constant. In this example, the spring constant is determined to be 50 (N/m).

Next, determine the displacement. For this problem, the displacement is measured to be 3 (m).

Next, determine the time of spring force. In this case, the time of spring force is found to be .123 (s).

Finally, calculate the Spring Momentum using the formula above: 

pS = K*x *t

Inserting the values from above and solving the equation with the imputed values gives: 

pS = 50*3 *.123= 18.45 (m/s*kg)

FAQ

What is the significance of the spring constant in calculating spring momentum?

The spring constant, denoted as ‘k’ in the formula, represents the stiffness of the spring. It is crucial in calculating spring momentum because it quantifies the force required to compress or extend the spring by a unit distance. A higher spring constant indicates a stiffer spring, which, when displaced, can generate more momentum for the same amount of time and displacement.

How does the displacement affect the spring momentum?

Displacement, denoted as ‘x’ in the formula, refers to the distance the spring is compressed or extended from its equilibrium position. The greater the displacement, the more potential energy is stored in the spring, which translates to greater spring momentum when the spring is released. Essentially, larger displacements result in higher forces exerted by the spring over the given time, thus increasing the momentum.

Can spring momentum be negative?

Yes, spring momentum can be considered negative if the direction of the spring’s force is taken into account. Momentum is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction. If the spring force acts in the opposite direction to the defined positive direction, the calculated spring momentum would be negative, indicating the direction of the momentum relative to an arbitrary reference point.