Question

Problem 4: If a delicate instrument having a mass of 5 kg is placed on a spring of length I so that its base is just touching the undeformed spring

and released from that position, determine the maximum deflection xm of the spring and the maximum force Fm exerted by the spring, assuming(a) a linear spring of constant k = 3 kN/m, (b) a nonlinear spring, for which F= (3 kN/m)(x +160 x²).Note: May need numerical methods or trial-and-error for some steps.

Fig: 1

Fig: 2