Conservation of mechanical energy (help)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the distance a 0.50 kg object travels up a frictionless incline after being released from a compressed spring with a spring constant of 40.0 N/m. The object is compressed 0.3 m from the spring's equilibrium position and is released on a 30-degree incline. The correct formula involves conservation of mechanical energy, equating the potential energy stored in the spring to the gravitational potential energy at the height reached on the incline. The correct distance traveled up the incline is approximately 0.43 m, which is confirmed through energy conservation principles.

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  • Knowledge of gravitational potential energy calculations
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  • Basic trigonometry for incline calculations
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shorti2406
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I just can't seem to derive the correct formula for this one.

A spring with k=40.0 N/m is at the base of a frictionless 30 degree inclined plane. A 0.50 kg object is pressed against the spring, compressing in 0.3m from its equilibrium position. The object is then released. If the object is not attached to the spring, how far up the incline does it travel before coming to res and then sliding back down?
 
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I keep getting d=.43, and I am almost positive that is not correct!
 
How are you solving this problem?
 

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