Calculate Spring Constant: Massless Spring & 0.140kg Mass

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a massless spring compressed to a certain length with a mass placed on top, which is then released. The objective is to calculate the spring constant based on the mass's motion after release, specifically its trajectory and time taken to reach the top.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of conservation of energy but express difficulty in determining the height reached and the velocity upon leaving the spring. Questions arise about the conditions under which the mass leaves the spring and the relevant forces acting on it.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem, with participants offering insights into the relationship between acceleration and gravitational force. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of net force equations to analyze the situation, but no consensus has been reached on a specific method or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of prior experience with deceleration questions involving springs, which may influence their understanding of the problem dynamics.

CAPA
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Homework Statement



A massless spring of length 0.270 m is in its relaxed position (left diagram). It is compressed to 71.0 percent of its relaxed length, and a mass M = 0.140 kg is placed on top and released from rest (shown on the right). The mass then travels vertically, taking 1.20 s to reach the top of its trajectory. Calculate the spring constant
Diagram http://www.learning.physics.dal.ca/dalphysicslib/Graphics/Gtype13/prob24_CompSpring.gif

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using conservation of energy, but kept getting stuck not being able to find how high it goes or the velocity when it leaves the spring
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi CAPA! Welcome to PF! :smile:
CAPA said:
I tried using conservation of energy, but kept getting stuck not being able to find how high it goes or the velocity when it leaves the spring

It will leave the spring when the deceleration of the end of the spring is … ? :wink:
 


tiny-tim said:
Hi CAPA! Welcome to PF! :smile:


It will leave the spring when the deceleration of the end of the spring is … ? :wink:

we haven't really done any decelerating questions with springs. How would I go about finding that? would it be equal to gravity?
 
Hi CAPA! :smile:

(just got up :zzz:)

Use Fnet = ma to find the acceleration at a general displacement x.

The mass will leave the spring when that acceleration becomes less than -g. :wink:
 

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