Block and Spring Problem: Solving for Compression and Height

[Iamaskier721]

Homework Statement

I. A 2kg block is falling at a speed of 20 m/s and is 18 meters above the spring. The spring constant is 4134 N/m, to the nearest tenth of a cm how far is the spring compressed?

II. In the previous problem to the nearest hundredth of a meter to what height will the block rise after it hits and leaves the spring?

Can I get some direction on this problem? It really stumps me. I know the first one will lead to the second answer.

 

[Doc Al]

What's conserved?

 

[SwissMom]

I have a similar problem that I am working on as well. I have a 2.0kg block dropped 48 cm onto a spring with a k(s) of 1600 J/m^2. I worked the first part of the problem to determine the potential energy(gravity) and kinetic energy before the block hit the spring. Now I am trying to work on the 2nd part to determine compression.

Does this help?