Question

A horizontal spring with k = 70 N/m has one end attached to a wall and the other end free. An 95 g wad of putty is thrown horizontally at 3.4 m/s directly toward the free end.

Find the maximum spring compression.

Answer 1

Maximum spring compression is obtained when (1/2) k X^2 equals the initial kinetic energy of the wad.

(1/2)k X^2 = (1/2)M V^2

X = V sqrt(M/k)

Answer 2

convert grams into kilo grams:
95/1000 = .095 kg
x = sqrt MV^2/k
x = sqrt .095(3.4)^2/70
x = .12525
x = .13 m
x = 13 cm