Force Spring Compression of 13kg Block on 35° Incline

[_mae]

Homework Statement

A block of mass 13.0 kg slides from rest down a frictionless 35.0° incline and is stopped by a strong spring with k = 2.60 x 10^4 N/m. The block slides 3.00 m from the point of release to the point where it comes to rest against the spring. When the block comes to rest, how far has the spring been compressed?

Homework Equations

F=mg (weight of block in Newtons)

The Attempt at a Solution

I've found the weight of the block in Newtons (127.4 N), and I know that I have to find the force of the spring in its direction. To get the final answer, I'd have to divide that by the value of k. But I don't know how to find the force of the spring!

 

[einstein_a_go_go]

would that be momentary rest as the spring compresses to its maximum, before shooting the block back up, or the rest after all oscillations have died down? The former I guess.

Have you ried using energy considerations instead...consider the enrgy changes in the block and the energy stored in the spring.

 

[Shooting Star]

The whole weight of the block is not pushing against the spring – just its component along the plane.

The block had only grav PE when it started. Where is that gone now? Take x as the compression in the spring and write the proper energy eqn.

The force exerted by the spring is kx.