How high will the hand glider pilot rise with this energy conservation problem?

[cheez]

A 40 kg hand glider pilot plans to launch herself by compressing a spring 0.81m, k= 400 N/m. The spring will accelerate her down a 37 degree frictionless slope to a level section 38m vertically below her starting point. she then travels across 12m of level snow with a coefficient of friction of 0.38. A short, frictionless ramp then launches her straight up. How many meter will she rise above the level section?

Is it a energy conservation problem? Can I ignore the spring part? And how to calculate the energy that used by work done?
thanks!

 

[cheez]

ps:work done on friction.

 

[andrewchang]

$$W = F d cos( \Theta )$$

and yes, it is a conservation of energy problem. The spring is important, though.

 

[andrewchang]

do you mean work done _by_ friction?

 

[Dale]

Yes, I would approach it with energy conservation since that is usually easiest. Is there any potential energy stored in the spring? If so, then you cannot ignore the spring. Don't forget the energy that goes to heat from the friction on the snow.

-Dale

 

[kp]

yes..what is the term for the potential energy of a spring?

what is the term for kenetic energy?

 

[andrewchang]

$$EPE = \frac {1}{2} kx^2$$
$$KE = \frac {1}{2} mv^2$$

do you have any textbooks? or notes? these equations are important ones that you should already know.
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EDIT:

just kidding. i thought kp was actually asking for the equations. sorry!

 

[-Christastic-]

Just have to say that I love that diagram.

 

[cheez]

I want to know what's wrong with my steps, because I don't get the answer. The answer is 33.8m

 

[kp]

check your numbers again because your set-up is right, I got 33.77meters