How Does Gravity Affect the Velocity of a Block on a Spring?

[Yam]

Homework Statement

[/B]
The force constant of a spring is 600 N/m and the un-stretched length is 0.72 m. A 3.2-kg block is suspended from the spring. An external force slowly pulls the block down, until the spring has been stretched to a length of 0.86 m. The external force is then removed, and the block rises. In this situation, when the spring has contracted to a length of 0.72m , the upward velocity of the block is = ?

Homework Equations

Conservation of Energy
Initial Potential Energy + Initial Kinetic Energy = Final Potential Energy + Final Kinetic Energy

The Attempt at a Solution

0 + 0.5(600)(0.14)^2 = 0.5 x 3.2 x v^2 + 0
v = 1.92m/s?

This is incorrect. The four options given are
a) 1.0 m s b) 5.1m s c) 7.4 m s d) 9.1 m s e) 9.7 m sDo I need to account for gravitational potential energy in the equation?
[/B]

 

[Merlin3189]

I think you may have mis-written your "Relevant Equation" , then when you substitute the numbers you got a bit mixed up.

Perhaps you could state each potential energy separately.

Edit: -oops, sorry I didn't read your final comment. Can you link to the original Q please?

 

[Yam]

Hi, sorry for the mistake.

 

[Merlin3189]

Are you saying,
PE1 +KE1 = PE2 +KE2
0 + 0.5(600)(0.14)^2 = 0.5 x 3.2 x v^2 + 0

If so, a) when or where is "Initial" and when is "Final" ?
b) looking at your formula, one of your expressions is for KE1 and the other for PE2, but both look like 0.5 m v²
(though, what mass is 600?)

Perhaps you should state clearly where you are for each expression before you put it into an equation.

You might also think about what sorts of PE exist.

 

[Yam]

PE1 = Elastic potential energy = 0.5 * k * x^2 =0.5(600)(0.14)^2
KE1 = 0

PE1 = gravitational potential energy = mass * g *height = (3.2)*(9.8)*(0.14)
KE2 = 0.5*m*v^2 = 0.5 x 3.2 x v^2

So,

0.5(600)(0.14)^2 = (3.2)*(9.8)*(0.14) + 0.5 x 3.2 x v^2

v = 0.96m/s?

 

[Merlin3189]

That looks ok now.
Presumably they've rounded the answer to 1dp.

 

[Yam]

Thank you for your help! Stating clearly for each expression before putting into an equation really helps!