Spring force, find the speed at equilibrium

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a block attached to a spring on a frictionless surface. The block's kinetic energy and the spring constant are provided, and participants are exploring various questions related to the block's speed at equilibrium, power exerted by the spring, and maximum compression of the spring.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between kinetic energy and speed, with one attempting to apply a formula involving kinetic energy. Others suggest considering the total energy of the oscillator and express interest in hints for additional questions regarding power and maximum compression.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints and guidance on how to approach the questions. There is an acknowledgment of the need for clarification on multiple aspects of the problem, and various interpretations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

One participant mentions missing a lecture on relevant concepts, indicating potential gaps in understanding the underlying principles of the problem.

P-Illiterate
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
A .50 kg block sliding on horizontal frictionless surface is attached to one end of a horizontal spring (with k = 500 N/M) whose other end is fixed. The block has a kinetic energy of 20J as it pass through its equilibrium position (the point at which the spring force is zero.)
  1. what is the speed of the block as it passes through its equilibrium position?
  2. at what rate is the spring doing work (power) as the block passes through the equilibrium pont?
  3. what is the maximum compression of the spring?
  4. at what rate is the spring doing work on the block as the block passes through a point 5 cm away from the sprig's equilibrium position and being stretched?

The Attempt at a Solution


1.
I know this is wrong but
do I use K - 1/mv2
20 =.5*.50*v2
v -8.9 m/sI missed my lecture the day when his was taught, I don't have any idea how to solve any of this ... can you please help me??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes that is what you use. The 20 J of energy is the total energy of the oscillator no matter where the mass is as it moves back and forth.
 
can you give me hints on the other three questions too
 
For 2 and 4, what is an expression for power that you can use that involves the speed?
For 3, how would you express the total energy at maximum compression?
 

Similar threads

Sliding block hits and compresses a spring
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Why can we move the spring with constant speed when we apply a force?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
Springs and Pulleys - Force analysis
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Force transmitted to a block in viscous fluid through a spring, cord, and pulley
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Distribution of Energy when work is done on a system of 2 masses connected by a spring
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Why Isn't the Spring Force Sum of Both Ends?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Time period of SHM & Energy conservation in pulley-spring-block system
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Trouble understanding the influence of a real spring in a system
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Initial velocity of bird landing on horizontal wire modeled as spring
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
How to solve a differential equation for a mass-spring oscillator?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K