Block Collides With Horizontal Spring

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the work done by a spring when a 2.40 kg block compresses it by 13.00 cm. The spring has a constant of 478 N/m, and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.360. The energy stored in the compressed spring is determined using the formula for elastic potential energy, which is 1.03 J. Additionally, the energy dissipated by friction is calculated to be 1.10 J, indicating that the work done by the spring is equal to the energy lost due to friction.

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  • Ability to perform calculations involving spring constants and distances
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Homework Statement

A moving 2.40 kg block collides with a horizontal spring whose spring constant is 478 N/m.

The block compresses the spring a maximum distance of 13.00 cm from its rest position. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the horizontal surface is 0.360. What is the work done by the spring in bringing the block to rest?


The attempt at a solution

I calculated the energy dissipated by the friction (which was 1.10 J, it was the second part of the question), but I'm at a loss as to how to solve for work.

Any help would be very much appreciated!
 
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Hint: What's the energy stored in the compressed spring?
 

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