Mass on Vertical Spring homework

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a mass-spring system where a block is attached to a vertical spring. The spring has a known spring constant and unstretched length, and the mass is subjected to gravitational forces. The discussion focuses on determining the maximum velocity of the block after it is pulled down and released.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss energy conservation principles, equating potential and kinetic energy at different points in the motion. There are attempts to derive expressions for maximum velocity using energy equations, with some questioning the signs and terms used in their calculations.

Discussion Status

Several participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring different interpretations of energy conservation. Some have provided guidance on how to set up the equations, while others are questioning the assumptions made regarding the forces acting on the mass and the spring.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the total stretch of the spring and the initial conditions of the block's motion. Participants are considering the effects of gravitational work on the system's energy balance, and there are indications of confusion regarding the correct application of energy principles.

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A spring with spring constant k = 40 N/m and unstretched length of L0 is attached to the ceiling. A block of mass m = 2 kg is hung gently on the end of the spring.

a) How far does the spring stretch? dL = 0.49

Now the block is pulled down until the total amount the spring is stretched is twice the amount found in part (a). The block is then pushed upward with an initial speed vi = 2 m/s.
|v|max = ?


F=ma. W=Fd, W = ΔKE, U = mgh, Fs = -Kx


Part a was easy, weight equals spring force so mg = kx => x=mg/k = 0.49.
Part b is where I'm really stuck. Since (U + KE)final = (U + KE)initial then
mgh + 1/2mv^2 = mgh + 1/2mv^2 + Uspring => 2(9.81)(0.981) + 1/2(2)(2^2) = 40(0.981) + 1/2(2)(vmax^2) + 0 so vmax = 4.05 but that's not right. HELP PLEASE!
 
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In the second part, total energy in the system with respect to the unstretched position is
mg(2δL) + 1/2*k(2δL)^2 + 1/2mv^2
When it crosses the unstretshed position, it has only KE.
Equating the above two energies find the vmax.
 
rl.bhat said:
In the second part, total energy in the system with respect to the unstretched position is
mg(2δL) + 1/2*k(2δL)^2 + 1/2mv^2
When it crosses the unstretshed position, it has only KE.
Equating the above two energies find the vmax.

Ok so are you saying that: (mg(2δL) + 1/2*k(2δL)^2 + 1/2mv^2) = 1/2m(vmax)^2, cause when I solve that I get 6.51 which is wrong.
 
Take mg*2δL negative, because it is the work done against the gravity. It will reduce the KE.
 
rl.bhat said:
Take mg*2δL negative, because it is the work done against the gravity. It will reduce the KE.

Ok so then it should be -(mg(2δL) + 1/2*k(2δL)^2 + 1/2mv^2) = 1/2m(vmax)^2 =>
-2(9.81)(0.98) + .5(40)(.98^2) + .5(2)(2^2) = .5(2)(vmax^2) => vmax = 1.99 but that's wrong too.
 
Now the block is pulled down until the total amount the spring is stretched is twice the amount found in part (a)
So the total stretching from the unstretched position is 3δL.
 

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