Can a Spring-Propelled Mass Clear the Gap on a Frictionless Ramp?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a block of mass propelled by a spring on a frictionless ramp. The scenario includes calculations related to spring constants, energy transformations, and the ability of the mass to clear a gap after leaving the ramp.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore energy changes as the spring transitions from compressed to uncompressed states, questioning the roles of kinetic and potential energy. There are attempts to set up energy equations to relate work, spring potential energy, kinetic energy, and gravitational potential energy.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their thoughts on energy conservation and the relationships between different forms of energy. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to account for gravitational potential energy, while others are questioning the correctness of their equations and assumptions.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted absence of a specific value for the length of the ramp, which is referred to as L. Participants are also clarifying that all speeds are in meters per second.

mgerman63016
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The picture below shows a block of mass 5.22kg held against a spring of spring constant compressed by a distance d = 28.3cm on a frictionless ramp of length . The ramp has an angle of 20°. A distance x = 1.16m separates the ramp from a landing area that is at the same height as the top of the ramp.

http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1000182266/40/114-24-1.png

1.If the mass leaves the end of the spring at a speed of 4.43 , what is the spring constant of the spring?
2.If the mass reaches the top of the ramp moving at speed 2.81 , what is the length of the ramp?
Measure the length of the ramp from the starting point (compressed spring) as shown in the picture.
3. Does the mass successfully jump the gap and land on the other side?
I thought I could use W(work) = PEg+KE
but that is as far as I got if someone could walk me through this I would greatly appreciate it I have a final next week on this and I want to make sure I'm doing it right.
 
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What changes in energy (kinetic, potential) occur as the spring goes from compressed to uncompressed? btw, I don't see a value for L. I assume all speeds are in m/s.
 
L is the frictionless ramp of length and yes the speeds will be in m/s.

the energy in this are well Spring, Kinetic and work. Could Gravitational Energy take place as the box goes up from the spring?
 
mgerman63016 said:
L is the frictionless ramp of length and yes the speeds will be in m/s.

the energy in this are well Spring, Kinetic and work. Could Gravitational Energy take place as the box goes up from the spring?
Yes, you have to take into account the gain in potential energy. Can you quantify the above changes and thus find the velocity at end of ramp?
 
to find the velocity could I set up an equation like:

W+PEs=KE

I'm calculating now...hopefully it works
 
mgerman63016 said:
I set up an equation like: W+PEs=KE
That doesn't look quite right, but maybe it's not what you meant. The sum of the energies is constant. You start with PE in the spring and finish with gravitational PE and KE at top of ramp.
 
Since there's no Work involved because it is on a frictionless I will use PEs=KE+PEg
 

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