Question

Determine the effective spring constant of the suspension system of a car. Consider a load of 4 passengers, each with a mass of 70 kg. The car suspension system consists of four identical springs, each with a spring constant k. When all four people get into the car, the tires are depressed by about Δx = 2.0 cm.

Answers

  1. Answer:

    The value of spring constant for each spring of the suspension system of a car   K = 343.35 \frac{N}{cm}

    Explanation:

    Total force on the springs = weight of the four passengers

    ⇒ F = 4 × 70 × 9.81

    ⇒ F = 2746.8 N

    In the suspension system of the car the four springs are connected in parallel. So Equivalent spring constant is given by,

    ⇒ K_{eq} = 4 K ——– ( 1 )

    Depression in the spring Δx = 2 cm

    Now the force  on the spring is given by

    F = K_{eq} × Δx

    ⇒ K_{eq} = \frac{2746.8}{2}

    ⇒ K_{eq} = 1373.4 \frac{N}{cm}

    Now the spring constant for each spring = \frac{K_{eq}}{4}

    ⇒ K = \frac{1373.4}{4}

    ⇒ K = 343.35 \frac{N}{cm}

    This is the value of spring constant for each spring of the suspension system of a car.

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