Question

A vertical spring with a spring constant of 350 N/m is mounted on the floor. From directly above the spring, which is unstrained, a 0.200 kg block is dropped from rest. It collides and stikes to the spring, which is now compressed 1.5 x 10-2 m bringing the block to a momentary halt. Assume air resistance is negligible. What is the elastic potential energy of the compressed spring? 3.94 x 10-2 J 1.05 J 4.33 x 10-3 J 7.00 J

Answer 1

The elastic potential energy of the spring when compressed by a 0.200 kg block by 1.5 x 10-2 m is 3.94 x 10-2 J, calculated using the formula PE_elastic = (1/2) * k * x^2 with the spring constant k = 350 N/m.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking for the elastic potential energy of a compressed spring when a 0.200 kg block is dropped from rest, compressing the spring by 1.5 x 10-2 m. The elastic potential energy (PEelastic) stored in the spring can be calculated using the formula:

PEelastic = (1/2) * k * x2

where:

• k is the spring constant (350 N/m)
• x is the compression distance of the spring (1.5 x 10-2 m)

Substituting the given values into the equation:
PEelastic = 1/2 * 350 N/m * (1.5 x 10-2 m)2 = 3.94 x 10-2 J

The elastic potential energy of the compressed spring is 3.94 x 10-2 J.