How Far Will the Spring Compress in a Frictionless Collision?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joshua Lee
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collision Spring
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 2 kg block colliding with a massless spring with a spring constant of 94 N/m. The block's speed at the moment of collision is given as 1.4 m/s, and the scenario assumes a frictionless surface. The task is to determine how far the spring compresses, with the answer required in centimeters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply energy conservation principles by equating the potential energy stored in the spring to the kinetic energy of the block. They express their calculations and arrive at a value for compression, but indicate that it is incorrect.

Discussion Status

Participants acknowledge the original poster's efforts and express support. There is recognition of the common nature of making mistakes in problem-solving, but no explicit consensus or resolution has been reached regarding the calculations or the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on providing the answer in centimeters, which may influence the interpretation of the results. The problem setup assumes a frictionless environment, which is a critical aspect of the scenario being discussed.

Joshua Lee
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 2 kg block collides with a massless spring of spring constant 94 N/m attached to a wall. The speed of the block was observed to be 1.4 m/s at the moment of collision. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s 2 . How far does the spring compress if the surface on which the mass moves is frictionless? Answer in units of cm.

Homework Equations


(1/2)kx^2
(1/2)mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution


(1/2)kx^2=(1/2)mv^2
Solved for x
x= sqrt((mv^2)/(k))
Plugged in values and I got 0.20421
Apparently not right though[/B]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Joshua Lee said:
Answer in units of cm.
 
Facepalming so hard right now. Thanks!
 
No need to feel bad...happens to all of us.

Welcome to PhysicsForums
 

Similar threads

Sliding block hits and compresses a spring
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Find elastic energy in the compressed spring.
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Free Body Diagram of Mass-Spring System
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Distribution of Energy when work is done on a system of 2 masses connected by a spring
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Problem with when to use Force and Energy. What compresses spring/
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Spring Problem Involving Variables and Constants Only
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Finding Spring Constant & Energy w/ Doubt in Exercise
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Spring Question -- A mass falls onto a spring compressing it....
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
A block of mass m is dropped onto the top of a vertical spring....
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
Determine expressions for the following in terms of M, X, D, h and g
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
2K