Solve Your Spring Problems Now - Expert Help Available

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The discussion focuses on solving a physics problem involving spring forces and energy conservation. A user expresses confusion about incorporating spring forces into the work-energy equation, specifically W = delta KE + delta PE. Experts guide the user to understand the energy stored in springs and the relationship between initial and final energy states. They clarify the calculations for energy in both the initial and final spring configurations, emphasizing the importance of unit accuracy. The conversation highlights the need for a clear understanding of energy conservation principles in solving spring-related problems.
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Saying that you have no idea doesn't count as an attempted solution. Have you read your class notes and/or text?
 
my professor doesn't go in details and book is to consusing but still I will give a try:

attempt: First I thought to use

W = delta KE + delta PE

but I was confused b/c i did not see a way to put those spring forces in there

so i was kindly asking for a help
 
dsptl said:
my professor doesn't go in details and book is to consusing but still I will give a try:

attempt: First I thought to use

W = delta KE + delta PE

but I was confused b/c i did not see a way to put those spring forces in there

so i was kindly asking for a help
Thank you for trying, your threads will generally get answered a lot quick if you show an attempted solution.

You're right to approach the problem using conservation of energy. You know that the work done by friction and the 400 N/m spring must be equal to the energy stored in the N/m spring.

Can you go from here?
 
is it like this:

F x S = Ef - Ei
 
dsptl said:
is it like this:

F x S = Ef - Ei
We'll take it a step at a time. What is the energy stored in the 200N/m spring before the block is released?
 
= .5k(x.x) + .5mv.v + mgh
 
dsptl said:
= .5k(x.x) + .5mv.v + mgh
Could you explain how each of the terms arise, what does each term represent?
 
1st is spring force , 2nd is kinetic energy and 3rd is potential enery, which is 0.
 
  • #10
dsptl said:
1st is spring force , 2nd is kinetic energy and 3rd is potential enery, which is 0.
Good. What about the kinetic energy, is that non-zero before the block is released?
 
  • #11
i think it is zero since Vi is 0
 
  • #12
dsptl said:
i think it is zero since Vi is 0
Correct. So, the total energy of the system is simply the energy stored by the spring, can you calculate it?

Now, when the block reaches the 400N/m spring is compresses it. So how much energy is stored in this spring? Can you also calculate this value?
 
  • #13
at intial = .5(200N/m)(.1 x .1) = 1N

at Final = .5(4000N/m)(.05 x .05) = .5 N
 
  • #14
do i just add them together?
 
  • #15
dsptl said:
do i just add them together?
No.

You started off with this much energy:
dsptl said:
at intial = .5(200N/m)(.1 x .1) = 1N
And ended up with this much energy:
dsptl said:
at Final = .5(4000N/m)(.05 x .05) = .5 N
Where did the rest of the energy go?

You also need to be careful with your units, the Newton is not a measure of energy.
 
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