How Do You Calculate the Force of a Falling Object Compressing a Spring?

[Edinator]

Homework Statement

I need to know the force of a falling object.
m=1.502 kg
v=0.528 m/s (this value is way off from the theoretical which is .9598 m/s)
Duration of impact = 0.167 s

I have all the variable but my problem is this:
This falling object compresses a spring which needs a force of 21 N to compress. From my experiment, the spring compresses but the calculation doesn't work out. This could be just experimental error but I don't think the margin of error should be this big.

Homework Equations

F=m∆V/∆t

The Attempt at a Solution

F=((1.5025)(0-0.528))/0.167
F=4.75 N [down]

F=ma
F_g=(1.5025)(9.8)
F_g=14.7245 N [down]

F_e=kx
F_e=(512)(0.041)
F_e=20.992 N [up]

I was also wondering if you add the two downward forces together. If that is true, then the force using my theoretical value would be correct.

 

[thebigstar25]

well, if you have two forces pointing downward and you want to find the resulant force you should add them .. I am not sure what is the other question you are trying to ask?