Question

a 2.0 kg block slides on the horizontal, frictionless surface until it counters a spring force constant with

Answer 1

Complete question:

a 2.0 kg block slides on the horizontal, frictionless surface until it counters a spring with force constant of  955 N/m. The block comes to rest after compressing the spring a distance of 4.6 cm. Find the initial speed (in m/s) of the block.

Answer:

The initial speed of the block is 1.422 m/s

Explanation:

Given;

mass of the block, m = 2.0 kg

force constant of the spring, K = 955 N/m

compression of the spring, x = 4.6 cm = 0.046 m

Apply Hook's law to determine applied force on the spring;

F = Kx

F = (955 N/m)(0.046 m)

F = 43.93 N

Apply Newton's 2nd law to determine the magnitude of deceleration of the block when it encounters the spring;

F = ma

a = F / m

a = 43.93 / 2

a = 21.965 m/s²

Apply kinematic equation to determine the initial speed of the block;

v² = u² + 2ax

where;

v is the final speed of the block = 0

u is the initial speed of the block

x is the distance traveled by the block = compression of the spring

a is the block deceleration = -21.965 m/s²

0 = u² + 2(-21.965 )(0.046)

0 = u²  - 2.021

u² =  2.021

u = √2.021

u = 1.422 m/s

Therefore, the initial speed of the block is 1.422 m/s