Question

A 0.210-kg block along a horizontal track has a speed of 1.70 m/s immediately before colliding with a light spring of force constant 4.50 N/m located at the end of the track.
(a) What is the spring's maximum compression if the track is frictionless
(b) If the track is not frictionless, would the spring's maximum compression be greater than, less than, or equal to the value obtained in part (a)?greater lessequal

Answer 1

Answer

given,

mass of block = 0.21 Kg

speed = 1.70 m/s

spring constant = k = 4.50 N/m

using conservation of energy

a)           K.E  =  P.E

 $\dfrac{1}{2}mv^2 = \dfrac{1}{2}kx^2$

 $\dfrac{1}{2}\times 0.21 \times 1.7^2 = \dfrac{1}{2}\times 4.5 \times x^2$

 $0.1348= x^2$

        x = 0.367 m

b) if the track is not friction less the maximum compression will be same as the compression in the part a.