Maximum extension of a spring on an inclined plane

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block on a rough inclined plane connected to a spring. The block's mass, the incline's angle, the coefficient of friction, and the spring constant are specified. The objective is to determine the maximum elongation of the spring when the block comes to a stop.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the block, including gravity, spring force, and friction. There is an exploration of the conditions under which the block stops moving and whether it truly comes to rest or just halts temporarily.

Discussion Status

Some participants have pointed out potential misunderstandings regarding the block's motion and the forces at play when the spring reaches a certain extension. There is ongoing clarification about the implications of the block's velocity being zero and whether the system undergoes oscillation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note ambiguity in the phrasing of "stops moving," leading to different interpretations of the problem's requirements. There is also mention of the need to consider the forces acting on the block at specific extensions of the spring.

Better WOrld
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Homework Statement



A block of mass ##M = 1 kg## is placed of a fixed rough incline of inclination

##\theta=sin^{-1} \frac{7}{10}## and coefficient of friction ##\mu=\frac{1}{\sqrt{51}}##. It is connected to a spring of spring constant 100 N/m. Initially the spring is in natural state with length = 10cm

If the block is left to move then find the final elongation in spring when block stops moving.

Take ##g= 10m/s^2##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



The forces doing work on the block are gravity, the spring force, and friction. Initially, the velocity of the block is 0 and once the spring reaches its maximum extension, the velocity again becomes 0, hence the change in Kinetic Energy of the bock is 0. Let the maximum extension of the spring be ##X##.
\[\]
Applying the Work Energy Theorem,
$$W_{gravity}-W_{spring}-W_{friction}=\Delta K=0$$
$$mgX\sin\theta-\int_0^X kx dx-\mu mg\cos\theta X=0$$
$$mgX\sin(\sin^{-1}\dfrac{7}{10})-\dfrac{kX^2}{2}-\mu mg \cos(\sin^{-1}\dfrac{7}{10})=0$$
Putting in the given values,
$$7-50X-1=0$$
$$X=0.12m$$

However, this does not give the 'correct' answer - ##0.8m##. I would be truly grateful if somebody could please explain where I have gone wrong. Thanks in advance!
 

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You have found the extension when the block first comes to a halt, but has it stopped moving entirely? Calculate the forces that will apply at that point.
 
Better WOrld said:
$$mgX\sin\theta-\int_0^X kx dx-\mu mg\cos\theta X=0$$

You didn't take in account the oscillation of the system. Try to sum up all the forces at ##X=0.12m##.
 
haruspex said:
You have found the extension when the block first comes to a halt, but has it stopped moving entirely? Calculate the forces that will apply at that point.
At that point, the spring would exert a force of ##12N## upwards while there is a force of ##11N## down the plane. However, I fail to see how that matters Sir.
 
stockzahn said:
You didn't take in account the oscillation of the system. Try to sum up all the forces at ##X=0.12m##.
Sir, please could you explain what you mean? Doesn't the velocity of the block become 0 at ##0.12m##? If not, please could you show me how to solve the problem?
 
I think the task is to calculate the final position of the block. If you calculate the forces at ##X=0.12m## you will see that the block is going to be accelerated again.
 
Better WOrld said:
At that point, the spring would exert a force of ##12N## upwards while there is a force of ##11N## down the plane. However, I fail to see how that matters Sir.
The question is ambiguous. "Stops moving" could mean the first time the velocity is zero. That is how you have interpreted it. Or it could mean stops completely, i.e. comes to rest and stays at rest. If the forces are not in balance then it will start moving again.
 

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