To calculate the velocity of a 100 lb block dropped 5 ft onto a spring with a stiffness of 100 lbs/ft after the spring has deformed 4 inches, one must consider the conservation of energy principle. The total energy includes both kinetic and potential energy before the drop and at the moment of 4-inch deformation. The work done by gravity and the work done by the spring force are in opposite directions and sum to zero, indicating that energy is conserved in the system. The initial energy of the block just before it is dropped and the final energy of the block-spring system at 4 inches of compression must be analyzed to find the velocity. Understanding these energy transformations is key to solving the problem effectively.
How do i find the velocity of a block of mass 100 lb being dropped a distance 5 ft onto a spring whose stifness is 100 lbs/ft after the spring has deformed 4 in?
