Initially sliding with a speed of 4.1 m/s, a 1.8 kg block collides with a spring and compresses it 0.37 m before coming to rest.

What is the force constant of the spring?
k=Nm

2 answers

Since F = kx, k = F/x so its units are N/m, not Nm.

So, just figure the F=KE=1/2 mv^2 and divide it by .37m
in order to find this answer you must use the equation

k=mvo^2/x^2

meaning for this specific problem it would be

k=(1.8)(4.1^2)/(0.37^2)=221N/m