How far does the block travel after being released?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block being released from a compressed spring and sliding along a surface with friction. The context includes concepts from mechanics, specifically energy conservation and frictional forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to formulate an equation relating the work done by the spring and the work done against friction but feels something is missing. Other participants question the correctness of the equation and suggest clarifying the forces involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's equation and suggesting a focus on the forces acting on the block. There is an exploration of different interpretations of the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific values for mass, spring constant, compression distance, and coefficient of friction, but there may be uncertainties regarding the setup and assumptions about the forces involved.

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A block of mass 0.08 kg is pushed against a spring with spring constant k=31 N/m. The srping is compressed 0.15 meters from its natural length. The block is released and it slides along a surface with coefficient of frition 0.45. How far does the block travel from the point at which is is released?


I am having a problem developing an equation for this. It seems i am always short on something.

this is what i have so far

Work due to friction - work due to spring = work due to spring - work due to friction.

I know i am missing something but i don't know what it is.
 
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Assume it is all horizontal. You have an initial set of numbers to calculate the force along the x-axis and the frictional forces, Soecifty these, and we can help more.
 
is my equation right or wrong
 
Your equation says

1 = -1

Forget the spring and think about what happens if you just push the block with force f for 1 cm. Then return to the spring ...
 

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