Vertical Spring Potential Energy?

[Loppyfoot]

Homework Statement

Say I have a vertical spring, with a mass attached to the bottom of the spring, and the spring is attached to the ceiling. Say I push up on the mass compressing the spring, and then I release the spring from rest.

Do I need to take into account the gravitational potential energy of the spring (mgh) when I apply the energy principle?

So would this be correct, or do I not need the Ug?
Ef = Ei + W
Kf + Ugf + Usf = Ki + Ugi + Usi + W(non-conservative)

 

[jbsteele]

Homework Equations Ef = Ei + WKf + Ugf + Usf = Ki + Ugi + Usi + W(non-conservative)The Attempt at a Solution No, you do not need to take into account the gravitational potential energy of the spring (mgh). You only need to use the energy principle when considering the kinetic energy and potential energy associated with the spring, which is just Usf = Usi.