Elastic Potential Energy and Energy Exchange

AI Thread Summary
A 3 kg ball dropped from 0.8 m compresses a spring with a constant of 1200 N/m, leading to a maximum compression of 0.22 m. The relevant equations include spring potential energy, gravitational potential energy, and kinetic energy. Initial confusion arose regarding the height reference point for calculating gravitational energy, but the issue was resolved. The correct approach involves considering the gravitational energy as directed downwards towards the ball. The discussion highlights the importance of accurately defining reference points in energy calculations.
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Homework Statement



A 3 kg ball is dropped from a height of 0.8 m above the top of the spring onto a vertical coiled spring sitting on the floor. The spring constant of the spring is 1200 N/m. Determine the maximum compression of the spring as the ball comes momentarily to rest before rising again. (0.22 m)

Homework Equations


1/2kx^2 (Spring Potential Energy as the area of kx graph)
Epg=mgh (Gravitational Potential Energy)
1/2mv^2 (Sum of energy -> Average kinetic energy of all particles -> velocity)

The Attempt at a Solution


physics.png


I am not sure where I went wrong.
I meant b=-29.43.
x = 0.04905m
 
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Decide from where do you count the height of the ball. If it is the upper end of the spring in equilibrium, then the final height is h2=x2 (a negative quantity).

ehild
 
Nevermind, I figured it out. It makes more sense for the gravitational energy h2 to be down upwards to the ball.

The first statement I made was false.

physics-1.png
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
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