A 1 kg cube is let go from rest and moves down a frictionless ramp that has a height of 0.2 m. At the ramp's bottom, the cube moves along a horizontal surface until it hits a spring that has a constant of k = 30 N/m. What is the spring's maximum compression?

Question

A 1 kg cube is let go from rest and moves down a frictionless ramp that has a height of 0.2 m. At the ramp's bottom, the cube moves along a horizontal surface until it hits a spring that has a constant of k = 30 N/m.  What is the spring's maximum compression?

The cube's GPE is 2 J.
Elastic PE = .5kx^2
2 = .5*30x^2
The max compression is .4 m.

bobpursley · Answer

assumeing no friction on the horizontal surface. GPE=mg*.2=9.8*.2 J KE=GPE=1/2 kx^2 x^2=2*9.8*.2/30= I dont get your answer.

Anonymous · Answer

1.96 = 1/2kx^2 3.92 = kx^2 3.92 = 30x^2 x^2 = 0.13 x = 0.36 m Is that right?

Damon · Answer

E = m g h = 1*9.81*.2 = 1.96 yes so (1/2) k x^2 = 1.96 30 x^2 = 3.924 x^2 = .1308 x = 0.36 agreed