Elastic Gravitational Potential ENergy

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving elastic gravitational potential energy, specifically related to a spring-mass system. The original poster describes a scenario where a mass is attached to a spring, stretched, and then released, prompting questions about the energy transformations involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationships between elastic potential energy, gravitational potential energy, and kinetic energy. The original poster attempts to set up an equation based on energy conservation principles and seeks clarification on the correct application of these concepts.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide guidance on the energy relationships, indicating that the potential energy of the spring is being converted into kinetic energy while accounting for the gravitational potential energy. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's understanding of the concepts, but no explicit consensus on the final approach has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions an upcoming exam and references previous tests, indicating a review context for the problem. There is a sense of urgency in seeking help, as the original poster expresses uncertainty about the problem-solving process.

salman213
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1. A spring is suspended froma ceiling and a 256 g mass is attached to it and pulled down to stretch the spring by 18.2 cm. THe mass is released and travels through the equilibrium position with a speed of 0.746 m/s. Calculate the force constant of the spring/



2. 1/2kx^2 = Ee
1/2mv^2 = Ek
Eg = mgh




3. (DeltaEk - DeltaEg) = DeltaEe
I made my reference point where the spring is stretched until so i guess it has a heigh of 18.2 cm
1/2(0.256)(0.746)^2 - (0.256)(9.81)(0.182) = 1/2k(0.182^2)

and i solve for k


I have another post alread so if u have not read that what then ill tell u here that i have an exam coming up in a few days so i was reviewing my old review problems/tests/ and i found this question on my older test that i screwed up..but he never went through how to do it so i d k how to do it lol

thanks for anyones help in advance:)
This quest
 
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any help pleaseeeeeee
 
You have the right concept but you want DeltaEe-DeltaEg=DeltaEk. Potential energy of spring-gravitational potential energy=kinetic energy.
 
ahhh that makes sense cool..

so since the energy of the spring is being converted to kinetic energy but some of the spring energy is being reduced due to gravitational energy not all of it gets transferred to kinetic..right?
so basically

1/2(0.256)(0.746)^2 = 1/2k(0.182^2) - (0.256)(9.81)(0.182)

and hten i solve for k..
 
salman213 said:
ahhh that makes sense cool..

so since the energy of the spring is being converted to kinetic energy but some of the spring energy is being reduced due to gravitational energy not all of it gets transferred to kinetic..right?
so basically

1/2(0.256)(0.746)^2 = 1/2k(0.182^2) - (0.256)(9.81)(0.182)

and hten i solve for k..

Exactly correct.
 

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