Conservation of Energy in a Spring-Powered Glider on an Incline

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the distance a spring is compressed in a spring-powered glider scenario involving a 0.0900 kg glider on a 40.0° frictionless incline. The spring constant is specified as k = 640 N/m, and the glider travels 1.80 m after losing contact with the spring. The energy conservation equation used is 0.5kX22 - 0.5kX12 = 0.5mV22 - 0.5mV12, which relates the spring's potential energy to the glider's kinetic and potential energy at its highest point.

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Homework Statement



A 0.0900 kg glider is pushed up a 40.0° frictionless incline by a spring. The spring's constant is k = 640 N/m with negligible mass. The glider reaches a distance of 1.80 m along the inclined track after losing contact with the spring and then slides back down. What distance is the spring originally compressed?

Homework Equations



0.5kX2^2 - 0.5kX1^2 = 0.5mV2^2 - 0.5mV1^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I have absolutely no idea how we can possibly know the distance of the spring's comression. There does not seem to be enough information here.
 
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What can you say about the potential and kinetic energy of the glider when it reaches its highest point? Where did that energy come from?
 
tms said:
What can you say about the potential and kinetic energy of the glider when it reaches its highest point? Where did that energy come from?

Ahhhh, I see, thanks.
 

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