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12boone
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Homework Statement
A 0.580Kg wood block is firmly attached to a very light horizontal spring. It is noted that the block-spring system (k=160N/m), when compressed 4.0cm and released, stretches out 0.9 cm beyond the equilibrium position before stopping and turning back.
Homework Equations
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
KEf+PEf=KEi+PEi
and
1/2kx^2
The Attempt at a Solution
Ok, What I tried to do is solve for the work of friction using
(coefficient of friction)(Normal Force)(d)=1/2k(xf-xi)^2. However, I do not understand what the problem is asking as far as distances. I converted the distance to m but I still do not know what they mean by compressed for 4 cm. Does that mean they pushed it 4 cm forward. Let it go and it went past its resting point .9 cm. If so is .9 negative? or is 4 cm negative?