Work/energy - spring and inclined plane

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving a block on an inclined plane with a spring. The inclined plane has an angle of 20.0° and a spring constant of k = 500 N/m. A block with a mass of 2.50 kg is projected towards the spring with an initial speed of 0.750 m/s from a distance of 0.300 m. The correct approach to solve for the distance the spring is compressed involves applying the conservation of energy principle, equating gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy, leading to the correct calculation of the spring compression.

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  • Familiarity with gravitational potential energy (Eg = mgh)
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  • Ability to manipulate and solve quadratic equations
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shawli
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Homework Statement



An inclined plane of angle 20.0° has a spring force constant k = 500 N/m fastened securely at the bottom so that the spring is parallel to the surface (as shown in the attached photo). A block of mass m = 2.50kg is placed on the plane at a distance d = 0.300m from the spring. From this position, the block is projected towards the spring with speed v = 0.750m/s. By what distance is the spring compressed when the block momentarily comes to rest?

Homework Equations



K = 1/2 m * v2

Eelastic = Es = 1/2 k * x2

Eg = mgh

The Attempt at a Solution



I get a bit confused when handling all the different Energy/Work equations...
But here's what I did:
(my variable "x" is the distance that the spring displaces, and I tried to set my coordinate system so that the x-axis would be where the spring is at its compressed position but I'm not sure if I did it properly...)

Ugi + Usi + Ki = Ugf + Usf + Kf
(2.50)(9.80)(0.300 + x)sin20 + 0 + 1/2*2.50*0.7502 = 0 + 1/2 * 500 * x2 + 0

However when I solve for x, I get the wrong value.

I think I may have set up my equations for gravitational potential energy incorrectly ... Or maybe I set the whole thing up wrong heh.
 

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Looks perfect to me! ...maybe your math is off...recheck your numbers...
 
Bah, you're right, I had calculation errors -_-

But yay, that means I got it! Thanks for checking :)
 

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