# An ice cube goes up a ramp

1. Dec 14, 2014

### Ritzycat

Question statement
A 55g ice cube can slide without friction up and down a 25∘slope. The ice cube is pressed against a spring at the bottom of the slope, compressing the spring 10cm . The spring constant is 25N/m. When the ice cube is released, what distance will it travel up the slope before reversing direction?

Relevant equations
$PE_s = PE_g$
$PE_s = 1/2kx^2$
$PE_g = mgh$

Attempt at a solution
Maximum height is when all energy is converted to gravitational potential energy (frictionless environment)

Thus,

$PE_s = PE_g$

$1/2kx^2 = mgh$

$1/2(25N/m)(0.1m)^2 = (0.055kg)(9.8m/s^2)(h)$

$h = 0.23m$ or $23 cm$

Not sure what I am doing wrong here...

2. Dec 14, 2014

### Orodruin

Staff Emeritus
You computing the height, not the distance along the slope.

3. Dec 14, 2014

### Ritzycat

I'm so silly. I need to learn to read questions further before answering something different.

Distance up slope would be
$0.23(sin 35°) = 0.40m = 40cm$

but thats not right!!!

How do I compute the distance up the slope?

4. Dec 14, 2014

### NTW

Wasn't it a 25º slope?

5. Dec 15, 2014

### Ritzycat

Yes, it was... Thanks...