Easy Energy Conservation. Spring, Incline/Ramp, Friction.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the energy conservation principles applied to a crate placed against a compressed spring on an incline. The key equation established is that the elastic potential energy lost by the spring equals the gravitational potential energy gained by the crate plus the work done against friction. Participants identified a common mistake regarding the normal force calculation, emphasizing the importance of including the gravitational constant (g) in the equations. The conversation highlights the iterative process of troubleshooting physics problems, particularly in the context of energy conservation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of energy conservation principles in physics
  • Familiarity with spring mechanics and Hooke's Law
  • Knowledge of gravitational potential energy calculations
  • Basic algebra skills for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between elastic potential energy and gravitational potential energy
  • Learn about the effects of friction on inclined planes
  • Explore the derivation and application of Hooke's Law
  • Practice solving problems involving energy conservation in various contexts
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching energy conservation concepts, and anyone preparing for exams involving mechanics and energy principles.

mcleanrs
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Homework Statement



Question for search purposes:

A crate is placed against a compressed spring on an incline. When the spring is released, the crate moves up the ramp and comes to a stop.

How far was the spring compressed?

Hint: The mass and the spring may not be in contact at the end.

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Your equation for energy conservation looks okay. I would have formulated it as:

spring elastic potential energy lost = grav. potential energy gained + work done by friction

which is a slightly more intuitive ordering to me.

It looks like you forgot a factor of g in your expression for the normal force, which should of course end up having units of force, not mass.
 
Thanks for your help. I agree that they were ordered funny -- but by the time I realized that, I was feeling too lazy to redo my diagram!

Anyway, I tweaked some things, and now my answer is even further off! I am being tested on this Monday, so I appreciate the help...got to figure these concepts out!

I just double and triple checked this for accuracy...I am getting exactly what my math is telling me I should get, so I must have set something up wrong or something.

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Hold it -- duh. Hold it. Got my spring equation off a little.
 
Solution

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Glad to see you sorted it out.
 
Yeah, thanks for the help. It's hard to wander through the algebra forest looking for mistakes when you're not even sure your Physics is right ;)
 

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