Find the distance the spring compresses

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block of mass sliding on a horizontal table that compresses a spring upon impact, while experiencing friction. The goal is to determine the distance the spring compresses when the block comes to rest. The subject area includes dynamics, energy conservation, and frictional forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the role of friction and energy conservation in the context of the problem. There are attempts to derive equations relating the variables involved, with some participants questioning the correctness of their formulations and the assumptions made.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing various equations and attempting to clarify their reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for careful unit consistency and the correct application of the quadratic formula. There is a recognition of potential errors in the derivations, and participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the setup of the problem, particularly concerning the treatment of terms in the equations and the implications of the signs in the context of spring compression. Participants are also addressing the need for clarity in the division of terms in their equations.

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Homework Statement



a block of mass m slides along ahrizontal table with speed v. At s = 0, it hits a spring with spting constat k and begins to experience a friction oforce. the coefficient of frictio is u, find the distance the spring compresses when it momentairly comes to rest.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



i believe the friction part is umgs, is this correct

.5mv2 = .5ks2 + ugms

if this is correct, how do i get the s alone
 

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joemama69 said:
i believe the friction part is umgs, is this correct

.5mv2 = .5ks2 + ugms

if this is correct, how do i get the s alone
It's a quadratic equation. Put it in standard form and solve it.

(That attachment doesn't seem to match the problem you described.)
 


s = -mg + or - (((mg)2 - 4(.5k)(mgh))/k).5
 


joemama69 said:
s = -mg + or - (((mg)2 - 4(.5k)(mgh))/k).5
How did you get this from the equation you gave in your first post?

I suspect you're solving a different problem.
 


haha you i had a very similar one sorry about that


s = -umg + or minus (((umg)2 - 4(.5k)(-.5mv2))/k).5
 


joemama69 said:
s = -umg + or minus (((umg)2 - 4(.5k)(-.5mv2))/k).5
That's almost right. (Redo it more carefully. Each term must have the same units.)

Also, only one of the + or - choices will make sense for this problem.
 


i redid and came up with the same

.5ks2 + umgs - .5mv2 = 0

a = .5k
b = umg
c = -.5mv2

-b - \sqrt{b^2-4ac}/2a

-umg - \sqrt{()^2 - 4(.5k)(-.5mv^2)}/2(.5k)

s = -umg - \sqrt{()^2 +kmv^2}/k
 


joemama69 said:
-b - \sqrt{b^2-4ac}/2a
Careful with how you do the division by 2a. Everything is divided by 2a, not just the square root term. (Use parentheses to show this.)

And don't forget that it's + or -, not just -.
 


ok

i think it should be minus because the spring is being compressed, do you concure
 
  • #10


joemama69 said:
i think it should be minus because the spring is being compressed, do you concure
No...
 
  • #11


s = -umg + (((umg)2 - 4(.5k)(-.5mv2)).5/k

s = -umg + (((umg)2 + kmv2).5/k
 
  • #12


joemama69 said:
s = -umg + (((umg)2 - 4(.5k)(-.5mv2)).5/k

s = -umg + (((umg)2 + kmv2).5/k
You still haven't corrected the "division by 2a" problem from post #8.
 
  • #13


= (-umg + ((umg)2 + kmv2).5)/k

the answer how ever is Wnc = -m(v0)^2/2 (1 + k/bmg)^-1 after simplifying
 

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