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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
An elastic string of unstretched length $\mathrm{L}$ and force constant $\mathrm{k}$ is stretched by a small length $\mathrm{x}$. It is further stretched by another small length y. The work done in the second stretching is
PhysicsWork Power EnergyBITSATBITSAT 2015
Options:
  • A $1 / 2 \mathrm{Ky}^{2}$
  • B $1 / 2 \mathrm{Ky}(2 \mathrm{x}+\mathrm{y})$
  • C $1 / 2 \mathrm{~K}\left(\mathrm{x}^{2}+\mathrm{y}^{2}\right)$
  • D $1 / 2 \mathrm{k}(\mathrm{x}+\mathrm{y})^{2}$
Solution:
2437 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: $1 / 2 \mathrm{Ky}(2 \mathrm{x}+\mathrm{y})$
In the string elastic force is conservative in nature. $\therefore \mathrm{W}=-\Delta \mathrm{U}$

Work done by elastic force of string,

$$

\begin{aligned}

\mathrm{W} &=-\left(\mathrm{U}_{\mathrm{F}}-\mathrm{U}_{\mathrm{i}}\right)=\mathrm{U}_{\mathrm{i}}-\mathrm{U}_{\mathrm{F}} \\

\mathrm{W} &=\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{k} \mathrm{x}^{2}-\frac{\mathrm{k}}{2}(\mathrm{x}+\mathrm{y})^{2} \\

&=\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{k} \mathrm{x}^{2}-\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{k}\left(\mathrm{x}^{2}+\mathrm{y}^{2}+2 \mathrm{xy}\right) \\

&=\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{k} \mathrm{x}^{2}-\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{k} \mathrm{y}^{2}-\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{kx}^{2}-\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{k}(2 \mathrm{xy}) \\

&=-\mathrm{k} \mathrm{x} \mathrm{y}-\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{k} \mathrm{y}^{2}

\end{aligned}

$$

Therefore, the work done against elastic force

$\mathrm{W}_{\text {external }}=-\mathrm{W}=\frac{\mathrm{K} y}{2}(2 \mathrm{x}+\mathrm{y})$

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