Elastic Collision: Kinetic Energy and Spring Compression

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a physics problem involving an elastic collision and spring compression. The boulder, initially moving at 2 m/s, slides down a hill and experiences a friction force of 40 N. To find the kinetic energy at the bottom of the incline, the total energy at the top and the work done by friction must be calculated. The correct approach involves using conservation of energy principles, specifically the equation mgh = 1/2 mv² + F_friction * d. The final goal is to determine the distance the spring is compressed when the boulder comes to a stop after colliding with the tree.
geauxKTM
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Elastic collision, I think?

Homework Statement

50kg boulder slides down a 5m high, 20m long hill against friction force 40N. At the top the boulder is moving at 2m/s. At the base of hill the boulder slides on a horizontal frictionless surface for a short distance and then collides with a tree having spring constant 5000N/m. A. Find the kinetic energy at the bottom of the incline. B. find distance the spring(tree) is compressed or bent when the boulder stops



Homework Equations

Ff=40N m=50 V0=2 I am lost. For B f=kx right?



The Attempt at a Solution

No attempt and I have 3 of the smarter students sitting with me so please help. I seem to always receive feedback too late and I realize this is a weak attempt but I do have at least 4 more to post with a better understanding
 
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Use conservation of energy. What is the total energy at the top? What is the work done by friction? When you get these two, you can get the kinetic energy at the bottom.
 


rock.freak667 said:
Use conservation of energy. What is the total energy at the top? What is the work done by friction? When you get these two, you can get the kinetic energy at the bottom.

Thank you very much, is this right?. A.Ui+W=Kf (50(9.8)5)+(40*20)=3250J
B. 3250=500x^2
 


Your equation should be mgh=1/2 mv2+Ffrictiond. Not sure which quantities were represented by your symbols.
 

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