Answer:
258.7 N/m
Explanation:
The spring constant can be found by considering the equilibrium position only. In fact, in that situation, we have that the mass of m = 6.6 kg hangs on the spring, stretching it by x = 0.25 m.
The weight of the block of mass m is equal in magnitude to the restoring force of the spring, given by Hooke's law:
[tex]F=mg=kx[/tex]
So, from this equation, we can find the spring constant of the spring:
[tex]k=\frac{mg}{x}=\frac{(6.6 kg)(9.8 m/s^2)}{0.25 m}=258.7 N/m[/tex]