The mass of a compressed spring is greater than that of an uncompressed spring according to the equation E=mc^2

Bobby Mitchell

Bobby Mitchell

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2022-08-15

The mass of a compressed spring is greater than that of an uncompressed spring
according to the equation E = m c 2

Answer & Explanation

wijnvatid

wijnvatid

Beginner2022-08-16Added 16 answers

Yes. When you compress a spring you do work on it, adding energy to it. This energy is stored in the configuration of the molecules that make up the spring. As you rightly point out, the E = m c 2 relation for an object at rest can then lead us to conclude that the rest mass of a compressed spring exceeds the rest mass of an uncompressed spring.

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