Spring Problem Solution: Calculating Maximum Movement with Masses Attached

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a spring system where a mass is attached, causing the spring to stretch, and a second mass is dropped onto it. The goal is to determine the maximum downward movement of the pan after the clay impacts it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations related to spring force, energy, and momentum. There is a focus on the discrepancies between the calculated maximum movement and the expected answer.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the calculations, indicating potential errors in the original poster's reasoning. There is acknowledgment of differing answers, but no consensus on the correct approach has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific values and equations related to spring mechanics and energy conservation, but there are indications of confusion regarding the calculations leading to the final answer.

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Homework Statement


A spring is hung from the ceiling. A pan of mass 100.0 g is attached to the end, which causes it to stretch 5.00 cm. Find the maximum distance the pan moves downward when a lump of clay of mass 120.0 g is dropped from a height of 40.0 cm onto the pan.

Homework Equations


K * distance = force of spring
integral(kx) = work
momentum p1 + p2 = p1' + p2'
potential energy = g * h * m

The Attempt at a Solution


.1 * 9.8 = k * .05, k = 19.6N/s
integral from .05 to x of 19.6x dx = .120 * .4 * 9.8 SO

9.8 * x^2 - 9.8(.05) = .4704
x = .313 m
.313 - .05 = .263 meters maximum movement downward

the answer is 0.233 m
 
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Correct.
 
no, it's off by .03 meters. I'm not sure why.

my answer is .263 and the real answer is .233
 
Fine, wrong.
 
4.19mile said:
Fine, wrong.

lol thanks for the help
 
No problem.
 
LOL that was the right answer, i just used wrong math
 

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