How Far is the Spring Compressed When a Block Slides Down an Incline?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a block sliding down an incline and compressing a spring. The subject area includes concepts of energy conservation, specifically potential and kinetic energy, as well as spring mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy in the absence of friction. Questions arise regarding the algebraic expression of energy conservation and the role of spring potential energy in the system.

Discussion Status

Participants have engaged in a productive dialogue, with some clarifying the use of energy conservation principles. There appears to be a progression towards understanding how to express the energy transformations involved in the problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about how to approach the problem, and there is a focus on the absence of friction in the scenario. The discussion also touches on the definitions and relationships between different forms of energy.

pc21
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[SOLVED] Please help- spring problem

1. A block of mass 12.0 kg slides from rest down a frictionless 32.0° incline and is stopped by a strong spring with k = 1.00 104 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?


2. K=F/x - K= spring constant



3. I really have no idea how to do this
 
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Do you know conservation of energy?
 
sort of PE=KE? is that what i need to use since there is no friction?
 
well, we have the initial Potential energy
Then, at the point of impact, we have less potential, because now some of that is kinetic.
Then, there is spring potential which counteracts all of the previous potential/kinetic energy.
So, express that algebraically.
 
so do i have to subtract potential energy from the final kinetic energy?
 
i just got it.
PE=mgh=KE=1/2mv2
then i plugged my numbers in and got x to be .19 and it was right
thanks
 
Last edited:
OK good
 
Last edited:

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