Question

A spring with a constant of `3 (kg)/s^2` is lying on the ground with one end attached to a wall. An object with a mass of `3 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

`Delta x=1m`

Explanation:

`"the Kinetic Energy of an object that has a mass of m and velocity of v is given by:"`
`E_k=1/2.m.v^2`
`E_k=1/2*3*1^2=1/2 *3J`
`E_p=E_k`
`"it will gain a potential energy if spring compresses"`
`E_p = 1/2.k. Delta x^2`
`cancel(1/2) 3* Delta x^2=cancel(1/2) *3`
`Delta x^2=1`
`Delta x=1m`