How Does Gravity Influence Spring Potential Energy in Physics?

AI Thread Summary
Gravity continuously affects a mass even after it impacts a spring, influencing the spring's potential energy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of considering gravitational forces in energy calculations. Participants noted that energy conservation principles should be applied throughout the process, rather than focusing solely on impact speed. Clarifications were made regarding posting guidelines, specifically about using images appropriately. Ultimately, incorporating gravity into the calculations led to the correct results.
NickStar
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Homework Statement
The weight is falling from a height of 1 meter. Then it touches a spring and it contracts. The weight of a body is 2 kg and k of the spring is 100 N/m.
1) What's the maximum contraction of the spring
The answer is supposed to be 0.852m(I got 0.392m)
Relevant Equations
E=1/2kx2
Снимок экрана 2019-12-31 в 13.01.15.png
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Your writing is not clear enough to be posting as images. Forum rules request you only use images for book extracts and diagrams.
Did you take into account that gravity does not stop acting when the mass hits the spring?
You do not need to find the impact speed. Just work with energy, end to end.
 
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haruspex said:
Your writing is not clear enough to be posting as images. Forum rules request you only use images for book extracts and diagrams.
Did you take into account that gravity does not stop acting when the mass hits the spring?
You do not need to find the impact speed. Just work with energy, end to end.
Thank you, I didn't put gravity to my equation. After I did, I got the right result.
 

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