- #1
jheld
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Homework Statement
A massless pan hangs from a spring that is suspended from the ceiling. When empty, the pan is 53 below the ceiling. If a 100 clay ball is placed gently on the pan, the pan hangs 72 below the ceiling. Suppose the clay ball is dropped from the ceiling onto an empty pan.
What is the pan's distance from the ceiling when the spring reaches its maximum length?
Homework Equations
F = ma
Fspring = -k*(sf-si)
Kinetic energy = (1/2)m*v^2
spring potential energy = (1/2)k*s^2
gravitational potential energy = mgh
The Attempt at a Solution
k = mg/sf-si = (.1meters*9.8)/.19meters = 5.158 N/m (J)
potential energy of clay ball going onto pan: .1*9.8*.53 = .5194 N/m (J)
spring potential energy: (1/2)(5.158)(s)^2
taking potential energy = spring potential energy
solve for delta s = .448 m. though, this doesn't seem to be right because when i add the .53 initial "height" to that, I get the wrong answer.