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Diagram

What is the potential energy of the spring?

On the left side there is a gravitational force $mg$ acts on the spring, same on for the right side. So, If force $mg$ streches the spring $x$ units then $2mg$ will strech the spring $2x$. Therefore,

$$F=kx$$

$$2mg=kx$$

$$\frac{2mg}{k}=x$$

$$U=\frac{1}{2}k{x}^{2}=\frac{1}{2}k(\frac{2mg}{k})^{2}$$

$$U=\frac{2{m}^{2}{g}^{2}}{k}$$

Is my interpretation correct?

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If the left end of the spring was tied with a string to an immovable object, the force on the spring would be $mg$. Since the spring would be in static equilibrium, it is obvious that due to Newton's 3rd law, the string would have to supply a force of $mg$ towards the left.

Your drawing shows exactly the same setup regarding the forces involved, with the weight on the left supplying a force of $mg$ towards the left. Thus, the force stretching your spring is actually $mg$, not $2mg$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Oh, sorry. I can't understand why it is. Can you explain it with a simpler language please? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 5, 2020 at 18:37
  • $\begingroup$ Are you familiar with Newton's 3rd law? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 5, 2020 at 18:53
  • $\begingroup$ Yeah, I know the third law of Newton. When one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body simultaneously exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on the first body. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 5, 2020 at 18:57
  • $\begingroup$ If your spring was tied on the left end to a wall, and the mass was hanging off the right pulley, how much force would be exerted on the spring? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 5, 2020 at 19:05
  • $\begingroup$ If we consider the hanging mass is $m$, then the force would be $mg$. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 5, 2020 at 19:08

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