Solving for Speed of Mass After Spring Compression: .15m

In summary, a vertical spring with a spring constant of 500N/m is attached to the floor. A 2.0kg mass is released from rest at a height of 0.8m above the equilibrium position of the spring. The speed of the mass when the spring is compressed 0.15m can be determined using the equation for conservation of mechanical energy. This involves calculating the initial potential energy of the block due to gravity, which is determined by the mass, gravitational acceleration, and the sum of the length of the spring and the initial height of the mass. At the final state, the potential energy of the block, kinetic energy of the block, and potential energy of the spring are all taken into account in the equation
  • #1
Lorbersf
3
0
A vertical spring is created by affixing one end of the spring with k=500N/m to the floor. A 2.0kg mass is held .8m above the equlibrium position of the free and of the spring and released from rest. What is the speed of the mass when the spring is compressed .15m?

I need help setting up the equation for conservation of mechanical energy...
Ki+Ui=Kf+Uf >>>>>And then solving.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Initially we have the gravity potential energy of the block which is mg(L+h) where L is the length of the spring (when it is relaxed) and h is the height of the block from the top of the spring. at the final state, we have the gravity potential energy for the block , kinetic energy for the block and the potential energy for the spring.
 
  • #3
i need more help than that please
 
  • #4
[tex]mg(L+0.8) = mg(L-0.15)+\frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}kx^2 [/tex]
 

1. How do you calculate the speed of mass after spring compression?

The speed of mass after spring compression can be calculated using the formula v = √(k/m) * x, where v is the speed, k is the spring constant, m is the mass, and x is the amount of compression in meters.

2. What units should be used for the variables in the speed calculation formula?

The spring constant (k) should be in units of N/m (newtons per meter) and the mass (m) should be in kilograms. The amount of compression (x) should be in meters. This will give the speed in m/s (meters per second).

3. How can I determine the spring constant for a given spring?

The spring constant can be determined experimentally by measuring the force applied to the spring and the resulting amount of compression. The formula for spring constant is k = F/x, where k is the spring constant, F is the force applied, and x is the amount of compression.

4. Is the speed of mass affected by the mass of the spring?

No, the speed of mass after spring compression is only affected by the spring constant and the mass of the object attached to the spring. The mass of the spring itself does not affect the speed.

5. Can the speed of mass be negative after spring compression?

Yes, the speed of mass can be negative if the mass is moving in the opposite direction of the compression. This can happen if the spring is already compressed and then released, causing the mass to move in the opposite direction until it reaches the equilibrium point.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
449
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
674
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
24
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
15
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
963
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
Back
Top