Calculating Block Speed Before Compressing Spring

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the speed of a 4020 gram block sliding into a spring, the equations for kinetic energy (KE) and spring potential energy (U_s) are used. The block compresses the spring by 3.70 cm, and the spring constant is 2500 N/m. The relationship KE = U_s leads to the equation 2010v^2 = 1.71, resulting in a speed of 0.0292 m/s. However, discrepancies in results may arise from unit conversion errors, emphasizing the importance of using consistent units. Ensuring proper conversions from grams to kilograms and centimeters to meters is crucial for accurate calculations.
joshbrackeen
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1. A 4020 gram block slides on a frictionless surface into a spring and compresses it 3.70 cm before the block briefly comes to rest. The spring constant is 2500 N/m. Calculate the speed of the block just before it compresses the spring.



2. KE=1/2mv^2 and U_s=1/2kx^2



3. KE = U_s
2010v^2=1.71
v=0.0292 m/s

My professor received a different speed in her answer so I was wondering if I did something wrong.
 
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You've got to watch units and algebra. Convert grams to kg and cm to meters before solving, and try again. Your units must be consistent.
 

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