Spring launched box sliding over friction surface

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a block with a mass of 14 kg accelerated by a spring with a spring constant of 4085 N/m, initially compressed by 0.546 m and later released from a stretch of 0.162 m. The block slides over a rough patch of 2.6 m with a coefficient of friction of 0.43. Participants suggest using conservation of energy to determine the block's initial velocity after leaving the spring and applying equations of motion to calculate how far it slides on the rough surface before coming to rest.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and spring constants
  • Familiarity with the work-energy principle
  • Knowledge of kinematics and equations of motion
  • Basic concepts of friction and its coefficients
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of energy in spring systems
  • Learn about the application of kinematic equations in frictional contexts
  • Explore the work-energy theorem and its implications in mechanics
  • Investigate the effects of varying coefficients of friction on motion
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators looking for problem-solving strategies in energy and motion scenarios.

Yae Miteo
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Homework Statement



A block with mass m = 14 kg rests on a frictionless table and is accelerated by a spring with spring constant k = 4085 N/m after being compressed a distance x_1 = 0.546 m from the spring’s unstretched length. The floor is frictionless except for a rough patch a distance d = 2.6 m long. For this rough path, the coefficient of friction is μ = 0.43.

(This is one part of a multi-part problem. The current part is part 5.)

Instead, the spring is only stretched a distance x_2 = 0.162 m before being released.
How far into the rough patch does the block slide before coming to rest?

Homework Equations



[tex]F=-\int kxdx[/tex]

[tex]v^2 = v_o^2 + 2ax[/tex]

[tex]F=ma[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



using
[tex]v^2 = v_o^2 + 2ax[/tex]
solve for x
[tex]x = -\cfrac{mv_o^2}{2(F-f)}[/tex]
plug in F
[tex]x = \cfrac {mv_o^2}{2(k \int xdx - mg \mu)}[/tex]
but I'm not sure where to go from here.
 
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I think you should use conservation of energy.
Firstly potential energy of spring will get converted into kinetic energy.From this you can find initial velocity of the block (velocity after leaving the spring).Then use equations of motion to find the answer.
After leaving the spring what will be the acceleration of the block?
 
Presumably the rough patch lies beyond the maximum extension of the spring+length of the box.
To proceed - you should explicitly state your reasoning: what is your strategy?
i.e. where does the force F come from? If it comes from the spring: consider - is the spring still pushing on the crate when there is friction?

Have you tried using a work-energy type argument?
(Satvik is suggesting the long way around ... where does the energy of the spring finally end up?)
 

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