Question

A 20.5 kg ball moving at 38.5 m/s on a horizontal, frictionless surface runs into a light spring of force

constant 5.15 N/cm. Use the work-energy theorem to find the maximum compression (in m) of the spring.

Answer 1

7.68 m

Step-by-step explanation:

Kinetic energy in ball = elastic energy in spring

KE = EE

½ mv² = ½ kx²

mv² = kx²

x = v √(m / k)

x = (38.5 m/s) √(20.5 kg / 515 N/m)

x = 7.68 m