Question

An ice cube of mass 50.0 g can slide without friction up and down a 25.0 degree slope. The ice cube is pressed against a spring at the bottom of the slope, compressing the spring 0.100 m . The spring constant is 25.0 N/m . When the ice cube is released, how far will it travel up the slope before reversing direction?

Answer 1

d = 0.604 m

Explanation: set 0 GPE at max spring compression, then

total E = U = 1/2kx^2 = 1/2 25N/m (0.1m)^2 = 0.125 J

max height,

GPE = 0.125 J = mgh = 0.05kg 9.8m/s^2 h

h = 0.255 m

Along slope, d = 0.255m / sin25°

d = 0.604 m

It's possible they want the distance from the end of the spring -- that's 0.504 m