Question

An ice cube of mass 50.0 g can slide without friction up and down a 25.0 degree slope. The ice cube is pressed against a spring at the bottom of the slope, compressing the spring 0.100 m . The spring constant is 25.0 N/m . When the ice cube is released, how far will it travel up the slope before reversing direction? Express your answer numerically in meters to three significant figures. d = nothing m

Answer 1

Answer:

0.6 m

Explanation:

When a spring is compressed it stores potential energy. This energy is:

Ep = 1/2 * k * x^2

Being x the distance it compressed/stretched.

When the spring bounces the ice cube back it will transfer that energy to the cube, it will raise up the slope, reaching a high point where it will have a speed of zero and a potential energy equal to what the spring gave it.

The potential energy of the ice cube is:

Ep = m * g * h

This is vertical height and is related to the distance up the slope by:

sin(a) = h/d

h = sin(a) * d

Replacing:

Ep = m * g * sin(a) * d

Equating both potential energies:

1/2 * k * x^2 = m * g * sin(a) * d

d = (1/2 * k * x^2) / (m * g * sin(a))

d= (1/2 * 25 * 0.1^2) / (0.05 * 9.81 * sin(25)) = 0.6 m