Question

A spring with a constant of `2 (kg)/s^2` is lying on the ground with one end attached to a wall. An object with a mass of `8 kg` and speed of `1 m/s` collides with and compresses the spring until it stops moving. How much will the spring compress?

Answer 1

`x=2 m`

Explanation:

`E_k=1/2*m*v^2 " Object's kinetic energy"`
`E_k=1/2*8*1^2`
`E_k=4J`
`"the kinetic energy of object turns the potential energy on spring"`
`E_p=1/2*k*Delta x^2" Potential energy on spring"`
`E_p=1/2*2*Delta x^2`
`E_p=Delta x^2`
`E_p" must be equal to " E_k`
`4=Delta x^2`
`x=sqrt 4`
`x=2 m`