- #1
weebedink
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Homework Statement
A block of mass m is moving at a speed of v0 at a distance L away from a spring of on a table with coefficient of friction μk. How much does the block compress the spring? Determine the average power generated due to friction during the compression of the spring.
I'm not sure if there is a problem with the question or is it just my methods, but is there a spring constant K needed to solve this problem? Also how would I solve for the average power?
Homework Equations
W+Wfriction=ΔKE+ΔUspring
Wfriction=Ffrictionx=μkmgx
The Attempt at a Solution
I split the problem into three sections. When the spring is compressed, right after the block reaches the end of the spring, and when the block is a distance L away from the spring. From these positions I got two equations and combined them into this:
kx2-2μkmgx=m(v0+2μkgL)
Now if the k was given, I would just solve for x and that would be the compression of the spring. Am I missing something? or do I need a k to keep on going?
For the average power dissipated by friction, I would use the Wfriction=μkmgx and then maybe integrate with respect to time or divide by time. Am I right in my assumption?