Simple spring problem (need someone's help)

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The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a spring and a particle in a descending elevator that suddenly stops. The main question is whether the spring's oscillation can be analyzed without knowing the mass of the particle. Participants confirm that mass is necessary to solve the problem accurately, despite initial attempts to equate kinetic and potential energy. Additionally, the importance of considering potential energy in the analysis is highlighted. The consensus emphasizes that mass is essential for a complete understanding of the spring's behavior in this scenario.
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An elevator descends at constant speed v.
There is a spring suspended from the elevator's ceiling, and a particle is hanging off it. It is at rest relative to the elevator.
Suddenly the elevator stops. At what magnitude does the spring oscillate?

IS it possible to obtain an answer to this question, without considering the mass?
Cause what I did was just equate 1/2 mv^2 with 1/2 kA^2, the total energy of a spring system. Is that valid? Please, any advice at all.

Thanks.
 
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It looks valid. You need the mass to solve this problem.
 
yea, you sure? was really confused cause question's got no info at all. Thanks.
 
Also, don't forget to take the potential energy into account.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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