Use the principle of minimum potential energy developed in Section 2.6 to solve the spring problems shown in Figure P2-18. That is, plot the total potential energy for variations in the displacement of the free end of the spring to determine the minimum potential energy. Observe that the displacement that yields the minimum potential energy also yields the stable equilibrium position.

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1000 Ib k = 2000 lb/in. k = 500 lb/in. %3D 1000 lb