Speed of box attached to spring

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    Box Speed Spring
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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a box attached to a spring, focusing on the dynamics of the box as the spring is compressed and then released. The subject area includes concepts from mechanics, specifically energy conservation and motion under the influence of spring forces.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore energy conservation principles, equating kinetic and elastic potential energy. Some suggest using Newton's second law to analyze forces and acceleration, while others discuss the integration of acceleration to find velocity. There are questions about the appropriateness of methods used for varying acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing various approaches and suggestions for analyzing the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the integration of acceleration and the importance of maintaining symbolic forms before substituting numerical values. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correct method or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential errors in calculations and the need for careful consideration of the energy conservation approach. There is also mention of the implications of varying acceleration on the velocity calculation.

TalibanNinja
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Homework Statement


An 87-g box is attached to a spring with a force constant of 82 N/m. The spring is compressed 11 cm from the equilibrium position and the system is released.
(a) What is the speed of the box when the spring is stretched by 7.0 cm passing the equilibrium?
(b) What is the maximum speed of the box? (A, 10 marks)

Homework Equations


Ek=1/2mv^2
Ee=1/2kx^2

The Attempt at a Solution


a)
Ek=Ee
1/2[(82N/m)(0.007m - (-0.011m))^2
=0.013284 J
0.013284J=1/2mv^2
√[(0.013284J)(2)]/(0.087kg)=v
v=0.55m/s
 
Last edited:
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Consider the forces, and use Newtons 2nd law:
kx = ma
Integrate the acceleration once from -11 to 7(can u see why?)
 
i have found the acceleration using your suggestion but now i don't know how to find the speed of the box. the acceleration that is calculated was when the spring had recoiled and pushed the box out.
F=kx
(82N/m)(0.007M)/(0.087kg)=a
a=6.597 m/s^2
 
Last edited:
Having found the acceleration you can integrate over it. And never insert numbers until you have a symbolic solution, because here you took some information out by doing so.
 
you see x causes the velocity to go like a parabola, while your approach is good for constant acceleration(velocity straight line).
 
TalibanNinja said:
a)
Ek=Ee
Energy conservation says: Ek + Ee = constant
Thus: Ek1 + Ee1 = Ek2 + Ee2
1/2[(82N/m)(0.007m - (-0.011m))^2
=0.013284 J
Several errors here. Redo it. But energy conservation is the right idea.
 

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