Conservation of energy of a spring problem

AI Thread Summary
The problem involves a 1.20-kg piece of cheese on a compressed spring with a force constant of 1800 N/m, compressed by 15.0 cm. The key question is whether to include the 15.0 cm compression when calculating gravitational potential energy after the spring is released. The consensus is to measure changes in gravitational potential energy from the lowest point, which is the initial compressed position of the spring. The final height should be calculated from this point, not from the ground level. Understanding the conservation of energy principle is essential for solving this problem accurately.
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Homework Statement


A 1.20-kg piece of cheese is placed on a vertical spring of negligible mass and force constant k = 1800 N/m that is compressed 15.0 cm. When the spring is released, how high does the cheese rise from this initial position? (The cheese and the spring
are not attached.)

Homework Equations


Conservation of Energy equation.

The Attempt at a Solution


Actually what i want to know is, while calculating the gravitational potential energy, should i include 15.0 cm(ie distance by which spring is compressed) or should i start from the point from where it leaves the spring?? kindly clarify.
 
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The initial position is the compressed position--measure changes in gravitational PE from that lowest point. (Measure the final height from that point as well.)
 
Thanks Doc :-)
 
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