Question

An ideal spring hangs from the ceiling. A 1.95 kg mass is hung from the spring, stretching the spring a distance d=0.0865 m from its original length when it reaches equilibrium. The mass is then lifted up a distance L=0.0325 m from the equilibrium position and released. What is the kinetic energy of the mass at the instant it passes back through the equilibrium position?

Answer 1

kinetic energy = 0.1168 J

Step-by-step explanation:

From Hooke's law, we know that ;

F = kx

k = F/x

We are given ;

Mass; m = 1.95 kg

Spring stretch; d = x = 0.0865

So, Force = mg = 1.95 × 9.81

k = 1.95 × 9.81/0.0865 = 221.15 N/m

Now, initial energy is;

E1 = mgL + ½k(x - L)²

Also, final energy; E2 = ½kx² + ½mv²

From conservation of energy, E1 = E2

Thus;

mgL + ½k(x - L)² = ½kx² + ½mv²

Making the kinetic energy ½mv² the subject, we have;

½mv² = mgL + ½k(x - L)² - ½kx²

We are given L=0.0325 m

Plugging other relevant values, we have ;

½mv² = (1.95 × 9.81 × 0.0325) + (½ × 221.15(0.0865 - 0.0325)² - ½(221.15 × 0.0865²)

½mv² = 0.62170875 + 0.3224367 - 0.82734979375

½mv² = 0.1168 J