How Far Up the Incline Does the Object Travel Before Sliding Back Down?

AI Thread Summary
A spring with a spring constant of 40.0 N/m compresses 0.4 m, launching a 0.50 kg object up a frictionless 30.0° incline. The initial energy stored in the spring is calculated using the formula (1/2)kx², which equals the gravitational potential energy at height h. The user initially calculated h as approximately 0.65 m but received incorrect answers when submitting. The key issue is that the problem requires the distance traveled along the incline, not just the vertical height h. Understanding the relationship between height and the incline distance is crucial for finding the correct answer.
vrobins1
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Homework Statement



A spring with k = 40.0 N/m is at the base of a frictionless 30.0° inclined plane. A 0.50 kg object is pressed against the spring, compressing it 0.4 m from its equilibrium position. The object is then released. If the object is not attached to the spring, how far up the incline does it travel before coming to rest and then sliding back down?


Homework Equations



I tried to use the formula (1/2)kx2=mgh


The Attempt at a Solution



I tried (1/2)(40)(.4)2=.5(9.8)h, solving for h.

The first time I worked it out, I got h=.65306. I tried entering .65, .653, .7 3 separate times into my homework website, and they were all incorrect. I tried working the problem out again, and got h=15.68. I tried submitting 15.7 and 16 as answers, and they were both incorrect as well.
If anyone can offer any insight, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Hi vrobins1,

You were on the right track when you found the first answer for h. However, they want the distance along the incline. What does h represent, and how is that related to the distance traveled along the incline? Once you answer those questions I think you'll get the right answer.
 
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