A block with mass m = 2.00kg is placed against a spring on a frictionless incline with angle (30 degrees). (The block is not attached to the spring.) The spring with spring constant k = 19.6 N/cm, is compressed 20.0 cm and then released. a.) What is the elastic potential energy of the compressed spring? b.) What is the change inn the gravitational potential energy of the block-Earth system as the block moves from the release point to its highest point on the incline? c.) How far along the inline is the highest point from the release point?

Answer 1

I will be happy to critique your thinking.

a) 1/2 kx^2
b) mg*.20sinTheta

Answer 2

well, I know a.) is 39.2 J using the equation for elastic potential energy (Delta U = 1/2kx^2). But I am having trouble figuring out b and c and don't know what equations to use.

Answer 3

x is measure in m therefore a) is not actually 39.2. it is 3.92*10^-3