Determining the speed of a mass attached to a spring when stretched

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the dynamics of a mass-spring system involving a 0.5 kg mass and a spring constant of 20 N/m. The maximum drop distance of the mass is determined to be 0.50 m when released from rest. When initially stretched by 20 cm, the mass drops an additional 0.1 m before coming to rest. The speed of the mass at a 30 cm stretch is calculated to be 1.5 m/s, utilizing the principles of energy conservation and the equations for gravitational potential energy and spring potential energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and spring constants
  • Knowledge of gravitational potential energy (Eg = mgh)
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy equations (Ek = 1/2mv^2)
  • Basic principles of energy conservation in mechanical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of Hooke's Law in various contexts
  • Explore energy conservation principles in oscillatory motion
  • Learn about damped and undamped harmonic motion in spring systems
  • Investigate the effects of friction on mass-spring systems
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and oscillatory motion, as well as educators looking for practical examples of energy conservation in mass-spring systems.

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Homework Statement



3. A 0.5 kg mass is connected to the lower end of an ideal vertical coil spring suspended from a retort stand. The mass is held at rest with the spring completed unstretched and then allowed to fall. If the spring constant is 20 N/m, determine the maximum distance the mass drops before coming momentarily to rest and starting up again. Ignore frictional losses. (50 cm)

Egravity potential=Espring
[0.5][kx2]=mgx
[0.5][kx]=mg
[2mg/k]=[x]
[x] = 0.50m

4. In the problem above, the mass is now held initially at rest at a position where the spring is stretched 20 cm. Determine the maximum distance the mass will fall. (0.1 m)

Espring = Espring after - Egravity potential work done
[0.5][k(0.2)2] + [0.5kg][~10N/kg][x']=[0.5k][x+0.2m][2]
[0.4J]+[5x']=[10][x'2+0.4x'+0.04]
[0.4J]+[5x']=[10x'2-x'+0.4]
0=[10x2-x']
x = (1/10; 0)

5. In problem 3, determine how fast the mass was traveling on the way down when the spring was stretched 30 cm.
(1.5 m/s)

I am getting stuck at this question as how to conceptualize it, although I tried substituting to no avail.
Initial State : Potential Energy of Spring + Gravity Potential Energy Work Done
Final State : Potential Energy of Spring[x+0.3m] + Kinetic Energy

Homework Equations



Eg = mgh
Ek = 1/2mv^2
Es = 1/2kx^2

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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It looks like you have done 3 and 4 correctly. For question 5, you can do it. You have written that the final state potential energy in the spring is at position (x+0.3m) What is x meant to be? The original position? If so, then they have told you in question 3 the original potential energy, so this gives you a value for x.
 

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